Mysore/Mysuru: Following a severe backlash from the general public over the decision of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to hike the toll fee on the newly opened Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway by 22 percent (on 59-km Nidaghatta-Bengaluru section), the NHAI has revoked the order in the same speed.
B.T. Sridhar, Project Director of NHAI, told SOM this morning that ‘the order on hiking the toll on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, that was to come into effect from today (Apr. 1, 2023) has been withdrawn and the old tariff of toll will continue to be in force.’
Moreover, as the State is already on election mode, with Assembly polls scheduled for May 10, the BJP-led Central Government appears to have woken up, even before things went awry. Any anti-public move further may prove costly to the BJP-led State Government, that is already in an embattled position.
According to the previous order issued by NHAI, the revised toll that was scheduled to be effective from today was as follows:
One-way journey in car, van and jeep – Rs. 165 (increased by Rs.30); Two-way journey – Rs. 250 (hiked by Rs.45)
LMV, mini bus – Rs. 270 (hiked by Rs. 50; Two-way journey – Rs. 405 (hiked by Rs. 75); Truck, bus (2-axle) – Rs. 565 (hiked by Rs. 165); Two-way journey – Rs. 850 (hiked by Rs.160) 3-axle commercial vehicle- Rs. 615 (hiked by Rs.115); Two-way journey- Rs. 925 (hiked by Rs. 225).
Heavy construction machinery/ earth moving equipment/ MAV (4 to 6 axle) – Rs.885 (hiked by Rs.165); Two-way journey-Rs.1,330 (hiked by Rs. 250).
Oversized vehicles (7 or more axle) – Rs.1, 080 (hiked by Rs. 200); Two-way journey – Rs. 1,620 (hiked by Rs.305).
Though the works remain incomplete on the total stretch of the Expressway, toll was introduced amid heavy protests from Mar.14, but the increase in toll by 18 days, a rise of 22 percent had yet again evoked sharp criticism from all the quarters.
Even Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha was unhappy with the decision to hike the toll within a short span and had written to the Ministry concerned to revoke the decision at least for now.
“As per prevailing norms, the toll is revised at all the Expressways in the country, at the beginning of new financial year. Accordingly, the toll is revised on Mysuru- Bengaluru Expressway too, which has turned into a bane. I have written to the Ministry and the response is awaited,” Simha had said while reacting to the decision to hike the toll.
NHAI Attention needed
Fencing is broken at many places
More Speed limit signage and other signage’s required.
Important signage in multiple languages : lane discipline requesting slow moving vehicles should take the left lane especially trucks.
Hey Sanjay Kini
You are as deluded as your MP Simha.
This Tipu Highway is in third world India, between Mysore-Bangalore and already is seeing the deteriration one expects from poor quality work one sees in India.
This Tipu Expressway is most useful to criminal gands like the gangs who distribute smuggled gols landing in Kerala airports and parts of which arrive through Wayanad-Manjagud route to Mysore, and now is distributed to places like Mandya ana Naddur through this Highway.
The same gangs are also operating the Hawaala money exchanges using this Highway to places mentioned above.
THanks to Modi, the UAE -based Keralite criminal barons posing as businessmemn and who manage the above gold smuggling and distribution, are getting ready to expand their smuggling operations along the Mysore-Bangalore corridor using this Highway, once Modi as promised approves the UAE-MYSORE non-stop flights by A320/737 medium haul passenger jet liners.
The winners in nthis Highway constructions are criminals.
Will the excess amount deducted before roll back be refunded to the respective fastags.????