The newly-constructed Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway will become more expensive to travel on starting from 8 am on July 1. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to collect road toll from Mysuru to Nidaghatta in Maddur by opening a new toll plaza in Ganangur, Srirangapatna. The ruling Congress party in the state has criticised the decision to collect toll. According to a notification issued by NHAI on Wednesday, they will collect Rs 155 from cars/SUVs/vans for a one-way ride between Mysuru and Nidaghatta. The toll for a return journey within 24 hours will be Rs 235. For LCVs/LGVs/mini buses, the toll for a one-way ride will be Rs 235, and for a return journey within 24 hours, it will be Rs 375. Trucks/buses with two axles will be required to pay Rs 525 for a one-way trip and Rs 790 for a return journey within 24 hours. This new toll will be in addition to the toll already in place on the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta stretch.
NHAI will issue a monthly pass priced at Rs 330 for non-commercial vehicles that travel within a 20 km radius from the toll plaza. NHAI has clarified that no toll will be charged during the mock drill on the expressway held on June 30.
In response to the decision to collect the new road toll on the expressway, Mandya Congress MLA P Ravikumar expressed his disagreement, stating that it was unscientific. He pointed out that NHAI has yet to complete several works on the expressway, such as the Hanakere Underpass, the relocation of the entry point near Amaravathi Hotel, the provision of an entry point at Hosabudanoor, the expansion of the canal at Chikka Mandya, and the marking of the old Bengaluru-Mysuru Road with white tape.
According to the minister, NHAI's decision to collect toll without completing these works is unfair.
When asked to comment on the new toll, Mysuru's BJP MP Pratap Simha stated that he was unaware of the decision. He mentioned that he would gather more information from the authorities concerned before sharing his views with the media.
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