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Now, Get Ready to Pay Toll to Reach Airport

  • The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Wednesday said that in two days it will announce the date for commencing collection of toll on Bellary road, which leads to the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), even as taxi owners’ associations threatened to suspend traffic heading to the airport if the toll is imposed before the completion of trumpet flyover. “We are waiting for orders from the Central government and we have been told to pick up any date before February 10. We will announce the date by Friday and toll collection will begin without any trials,” R.K. Gupta, Regional Director, NHAI, told Deccan Chronicle.
  • Eight tollgates are being erected and work is in the final stages at Sadarahalli Gate, situated just few metres from trumpet flyover leading to BIA. Mr Gupta condemned the protest threat by taxi owners, saying the NHAI is merely following orders of the Central government. “The NHAI feels the toll is a ‘user fee’ and is charged to passengers and not taxi drivers, who are planning a protest,” he added.
  • “It was decided long ago that connectivity to BIA will be improved and the project will be handled by the NHAI. We don’t understand why there is opposition to pay toll by the taxis when the entire stretch between Hebbal flyover and BIA is being widened and readied for the smooth movement of traffic,” Mr Gupta said. G.R. Shanmugappa, President, Federation of Karnataka Sand Lorry Owners’ and Agents’ Association (FKLOAA), maintained that the taxi owners would hold protest if the toll is imposed before the completion of works.
  • “Why should we pay to move in congested roads? There is no logic in paying Rs 25 per car when the entire stretch is dotted with ongoing construction projects and road widening works. We also have to deal with heavy traffic on the road,” he said. As per the National Highway Fees Rules, 2008, cars have to pay Rs 20. In its bid to help passengers heading to the airport, the NHAI is not collecting the toll at the beginning of the road, but charging Rs 25 from vehicles coming back from the airport. “Initially, we are not charging the vehicles getting into the airport flyover. But it depends on the Centre’s decision,” said an official.

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