BJP MLC Vishwanath criticises ‘exorbitant’ toll on Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway

Vishwanath says the government should fix a reasonable amount as toll that should not exceed ₹1 for every kilometre for a car or other four-wheelers

A.H. Vishwanath, Former Minister and BJP MLC, came down heavily on the ‘exorbitant’ toll levied on motorists using the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway.

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Tuesday, March 14, Mr. Vishwanath questioned the BJP Government’s decision to not only start collection of toll even before the work on the service roads and underpasses is completed, but also on a portion of the expressway before the work on remaining portion is yet to be completed.

“What is the hurry?”, he questioned while alleging that the collection of the toll was against the guidelines of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Though he was not against collection of toll, Mr. Vishwanath said the government should fix a reasonable amount as toll that should not exceed ₹1 for every kilometre for a car or other four-wheelers. At the present rates, the toll for travelling between the two cities will be around ₹300 for one-way and ₹600 for a two-way four-wheeler journey on the expressway.

“If the toll is fixed at ₹1 per km, it will be only ₹118 for the journey,” he said.

He also alleged that Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was behind the private company, which was executing the project and making huge profits.

Contending that the PCU (passenger car units) on the highway was 90,000 per day as per figures cited by NHAI two years ago, Mr. Vishwanath said and claimed that the toll collection would reach ₹5 crore per day even if a toll of ₹500 is levied.