Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, March 26: In a move that will affect millions of road users, toll fees across Karnataka will rise by 3 to 5% starting from April 1, 2025.

Sources within the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have confirmed that the official notification for this increase will be issued in the next few days. This hike comes as part of an annual revision linked to inflation and rising operational costs.

This increase will impact toll rates at 66 toll plazas across the state, with some of the busiest routes set to see higher charges. The hikes will range from a minimum of 3% to a maximum of 5%, potentially adding extra costs for daily commuters and freight traffic.

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The toll increase is part of an ongoing annual adjustment process, based on inflation, fuel prices, and other economic factors. It is expected that motorists will bear the brunt of these hikes across key toll plazas located on major routes such as Bengaluru-Mysuru, Bengaluru-Tirupati, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, and routes leading to the Bengaluru International Airport.

Karnataka’s toll network includes approximately 66 toll plazas, and some of the busiest toll booths, including Kaniminike, Sheshagirihalli (Bengaluru-Mysuru), Nangli (Bengaluru-Tirupati), Bagepalli (Bengaluru-Hyderabad), and Sadahalli (Bengaluru Airport Road), will witness the price hikes. Other areas affected include the Hulikunte and Nalluru Devanahalli toll plazas, situated along the Satellite Town Ring Road.

The toll increase is also set against the backdrop of upcoming changes at the national level. The central government is preparing to roll out a new toll policy on national highways, which is expected to provide some relief to motorists.

However, while Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari had earlier stated in the Rajya Sabha that this policy would offer discounts to road users, no concrete changes have been seen so far, and the 2008 policy remains in place for now.

Karnataka residents will be hoping that the new toll policy provides much-needed relief, especially for those facing steep increases on major highways. The rise in toll fees is expected to affect both daily commuters and long-distance travellers, putting additional pressure on their wallets.

In a broader context, toll collections have seen a significant surge. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India’s total toll revenue reached an astounding Rs 64,809.86 crore, marking a sharp 35% rise from the previous year. To put it into perspective, in 2019-20, the toll revenue stood at Rs 27,503 crore, illustrating the growing reliance on tolls as a major revenue source for infrastructure development.

As toll rates climb across the state, road users will be eagerly awaiting the new policy, which could potentially alter the toll landscape and offer much-needed benefits. However, until the official announcement arrives, motorists are left grappling with the upcoming price hikes.