It is the season for toll increases. In the past week, three major roads in the city have announced a hike in toll rates. While the rates are increased yearly by some toll concessionaires, for others this is the first hike over the past two or three years.
A hike has been effected, for the first time since 2013, on the private NICE Road that connects Hosur Road, Bannerghatta Road, Mysuru Road and Tumakuru Road, among others. Toll rates for cars have been increased by as much as ₹7 on some routes and ₹4 on others. For buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles, the increase is higher.
In a statement, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Ltd. (NICEL) said, “The revised toll rates continue to be lower than the actual rates the company is entitled to collect. The toll revision is inevitable for upkeep and maintainence of infrastructure.”
Toll rates for the elevated tollway connecting Electronics City and Attibele with Central Silk Board were hiked last week. Two-wheelers will now pay ₹20 to use the elevated section while cars will pay ₹45. For Central Silk Board to Attibele toll booth, cars will have to pay ₹25 while two-wheelers will not have to pay anything.
Vehicle users who travel on the Bengaluru-Nelamangala tollway will also have to shell out up to ₹20 more for cars, with a ₹30 fee for a return trip within 24 hours.