Bengaluru: On day one of the toll collection on upgraded Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway-275 witnessed noisy scenes at the toll plaza at Sheshagirihalli of Ramanagara district. The motorists expressed displeasure over the toll collection stating that the fee fixed to pass on the six-lane road of the Highway was “bit too high” for them to afford.
Earlier, the toll collection on the upgraded Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway was to start on February 27 but the toll collection was deferred by officials concerned of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) without giving reasons. NHAI officials had deferred the toll collection till March 14. It may be recalled here that the upgraded Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in Mandya.
A car driver from Bengaluru towards Ramnagar irked over the toll collection stated that the officials concerned have fixed Rs 130 to pass through the Highway from Bengaluru. He questioned “Why should I pay Rs 130 to reach Ramnagar while the toll fee is the same to that of Mysuru.”
He fumed at the State Government saying that “Numerous taxes are being collected such as road tax among others which the common man cannot afford. Families will come to the streets if such things continue to trouble the common man.”
Another driver alleged that a fee of Rs 350 was collected from Bengaluru towards Mysuru and on the return journey they have charged Rs 920. The driver stated that “I questioned about the mismatch in fee collection but there was no response from toll plaza personnel.”
Opposing toll collection, members of Congress party staged a protest stating that “without service roads, officials concerned going in for toll collection is condemnable.”
Meanwhile, pro-Kannada outfits also staged a protest over the toll collection in Ramnagar and as part of their protest, Kannada activists vandalized the toll plaza. Police personnel have been deployed at the toll plaza to thwart any untoward incidents.
Over the toll collection, a member of the Travellers Association of Mysuru said motorists should keep in mind that they would save on time and fuel travelling on the Highway.
Mysuru-Kodagu Member of Parliament Pratap Simha had earlier hinted at a revision of toll fee and that he would soon come back with the revised fee.
