Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, May 24: The state cabinet on Friday May 22, gave its nod to the proposal of levying toll charges on vehicles moving on 200 state highways and district roads that are proposed to be developed under public-private partnership hereafter.  This information was given by rural development and panchayatraj minister Shobha Karandlaje, after the cabinet meeting.

The said 200 roads will be developed under public-private partnership in a total of 51 packages. The toll charges come into affect once the roads are fully developed, at the rates now approved by the state, she said. The cabinet has finalized toll charges for light vehicles, mini bus and light transport vehicles, heavy vehicles and vehicels that carry heavy machinery items, separately. These charges have also been segregated into four lane roads and two-lane roads, with the latter roads attracting slightly lower toll tariff.

Tender process for this project will start on June 30 and is expected to be completed within ten months. The works are to be completed within two years. As the toll tariff has now been arrived at, taking into account estimated project cost at present, it may undergo upward revision, if project cost swells. The toll will be recovered for a period 20 years.

Roads in the city and all the districts of the state will be covered under the scheme. The vehicles moving on the four-lane road between Bangalore and Mysore too will have to pay toll charges, the minister explained.