Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 12: The Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a notice to Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) for increasing toll charges by 7.5% without prior government approval. The move has drawn public criticism, especially from motorists, who are feeling the pinch of the increased toll on the NICE Peripheral Ring Road and Link Road.

According to the notice, the 1994 concession agreement between the Karnataka government and NICE clearly states that any toll revision must receive government approval beforehand. The PWD, citing this clause, declared the toll hike as unauthorized and sought clarification from the private infrastructure company.

NICE, however, has denied any wrongdoing. "We have not received any such notice yet. The toll hike has been implemented strictly as per the agreement," a spokesperson for the company said.

The toll revision, which came into effect on July 1, applies to the 44-kilometre stretch of the Peripheral Ring Road and the connecting Link Road. The 7.5% increase has sparked backlash from commuters, especially car and two-wheeler users, who have called the hike excessive.

In a notice dated July 8, N. Parvathi, Under Secretary to the PWD, stated: “The toll revision cannot be accepted. As per the agreement, government approval is mandatory before any increase.”

Responding to the controversy, NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny clarified: “As per the 1994 agreement, we are permitted to increase toll rates by up to 10% annually. We have actually hiked it by less than that.”

The dispute has now brought the long-standing NICE agreement back into focus, with calls growing for greater transparency and oversight on toll charges levied by private infrastructure developers operating public roads.