From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, May 12: Even as the agitation by Motor Vehicle Users over the sharp hike in the toll rate on National Highway 7 leading to Bangalaore’s Kempegowda International Airport continued, Karnataka has urged the Centre to take immediate steps to implement the 2014 Toll Policy, which will reduce the toll rate by Rs 20 to and fro from the airport.
Addressing reporters in Bangalore on Monday, after a meeting with officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Karnataka’s Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa said the sharp hike in the toll rate to and from the Airport was unacceptable and must be reduced to provide substantial relief.
The Navayuga Devanahalli Tollway Pvt Ltd (NDTPL) has been collecting toll based on the Toll Policy of 2007-08.
Toll rates would come down by Rs 20 to and fro from the airport if the Centre directs the private firm to collect toll based on the Toll Policy of 2014, Mahadevappa said.
Before arriving to the meeting, the Minister has discussed the issue with Union Minister for Surface Transport and Highways Oscar Fernandes at Kumara Krupa Guest House and urged him to direct NHAI and toll collecting firm to collect toll based on 2014 Toll Policy.
"I am hopeful of solving the problem in the next 2 to 3 days," he said.
The minister explained that NHAI being an independent body, it is incumbent upon the Centre to direct the NHAI to implement 2014 Toll Policy on NH 7 leading to Kempegowda International Airport.
The 2014 Toll Policy would be implemented only for the NH leading to the KIA and not other National Highways in the State.
The policy would be applicable only in the case of construction of elevated highways, the minister said.
Mahadevappa said the private company has not built the elevated the road (Road over Bridge) and the service road.
As per the policy guidelines, the firm has to develop the service road. Further, the highway has not been fully developed as a signal free corridor and therefore, there was no justification for causing enormous burden on the motor vehicle users.
Denial of service road facility has caused a lot of resentment among the residents of nearby villages, he said.
Referring to the agitation against the steep hike in toll, Mahadevappa said that effort would be made to redress grievances of vehicles users and the villagers.
The NHAI has been urged to look into any lapses on part of the private company in fulfilling the Toll Conditions, especially on construction of service road and intersections on the road.
Fernandes had chaired a review meeting in Bangalore on Friday with all stakeholders and had asked the State government and the NHAI authorities to examine whether the concessionaire company has fulfilled all the conditions of the toll agreement.