Officials say this plan will permit motorists to pay just for the space they journey, as a substitute of bearing the complete toll value. For occasion, presently, automobiles, vans, and jeeps utilizing the Bengaluru to Nidaghatta stretch of the expressway are charged ₹180 for a one-way journey and ₹270 for a spherical journey accomplished inside 24 hours. Meanwhile, for journey between Nidaghatta and Mysuru, toll assortment at Gananguru village requires these autos to pay ₹175 for a single journey and ₹260 for a return journey throughout the identical 24-hour window whatever the distance coated. This has sparked complaints, particularly from short-distance commuters who use the freeway for native journey.
According to NHAI officers, the brand new toll system will probably be launched at 14 places throughout the 119-km expressway over the following two years. The undertaking consists of the development of railway overbridges, underpasses, and overpasses wherever needed, with a complete price range of ₹712 crore. A non-public development agency has been awarded the tender, and is predicted to finish the undertaking inside two years.
“The proposed toll cubicles to be constructed will embrace loops and devoted lanes to make sure clean entry and exit. The toll will probably be calculated primarily based on the precise distance travelled,” a official advised The Hindu.
Entry and Exit factors
The entry and exit factors are more likely to be developed in phases throughout totally different segments of the Bengaluru–Mysuru expressway. The NHAI officers stated that two entry/exit factors will probably be constructed between Bengaluru and the Bidadi bypass, adopted by two extra between Bidadi and the Ramanagara bypass.
The stretch between Ramanagara and Nidaghatta, through the Channapatna bypass, may have three entry/exit factors. Between Maddur and the Mandya bypass, two such factors are deliberate. The Mandya to Srirangapatna part will see 4 entry/exit factors, whereas one will probably be constructed between Srirangapatna and Mysuru.
An NHAI official said that this decentralised tolling methodology may additionally cut back the congestion presently noticed on service roads close to toll plazas. “Thousands of autos bypass the Kaniminike toll gate day-after-day to keep away from paying the complete toll. The new system ought to ease site visitors load on these roads,” the official defined.
Welcome aid
For commuters like Paramesh Okay. from Ramanagara, the initiative comes as a welcome aid. “I journey each weekend from Bengaluru to Ramanagara and find yourself paying ₹175 a method. With this new toll setup, I would pay solely half of that. It’s an enormous aid,” he stated.
Another frequent traveller Mahesh Kumar from Mandya voiced blended emotions. “It’s a very good transfer for saving cash, particularly for short-distance travellers. But having too many toll cubicles may decelerate the journey since we’ll need to cease extra steadily. I hope they guarantee fast-tolling programs to maintain the site visitors flowing.”
Published – July 25, 2025 09:42 pm IST
