Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway: Toll Collection Set to Start on Karnataka Segment

Toll Collection on Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to initiate toll collection on the 70-kilometer stretch of the Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway in Karnataka, which will conclude the complimentary travel option for daily users of this route. This expressway, marking Karnataka's first, was provisionally opened in February, facilitating travel from Hoskote to Kolar Gold Fields (KGF).

NHAI is in the process of finalizing toll rates, with car users potentially facing charges of up to ₹150 for a one-way journey and ₹225 for a round trip. Along the route, there are three interchanges located at Malur, Bangarpet, and Betamangala, where toll fees may vary from ₹55 to ₹150. For heavy vehicles, the toll could reach ₹520 for a single trip and ₹780 for a return journey.

Vilas Brahmankar, a regional officer at NHAI, stated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a notification to commence toll collection on this segment. The toll collection will officially start once all departmental procedures are completed and the district administration is notified.

This Greenfield Expressway spans 261 kilometers and traverses three states: Karnataka (76 km), Andhra Pradesh (91 km), and Tamil Nadu (94 km). However, construction in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu remains unfinished.

Currently, the expressway accommodates approximately 2,000 to 2,500 vehicles daily. To enhance connectivity from the Bengaluru-Kolar Highway to the expressway, NHAI has allocated ₹20 crore to the Karnataka government for upgrading 18 kilometers of rural and district roads. Once these upgrades are completed, a significant increase in traffic is anticipated.

Despite the expressway's advantages, users from Hoskote still encounter congestion on Old Madras Road. This issue is expected to improve with the anticipated operationalization of the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) and the STRR-Hosur link by August.

The authorities have clarified that two-wheelers, autos, and tractors are prohibited on the expressway. Nonetheless, some motorcyclists are using the route unlawfully, raising safety concerns. There have been several serious accidents attributed to speeding.

An official noted that the expressway is engineered for vehicles to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h. Safety measures have been put in place, and local police monitoring has been intensified.

The toll collection process will officially commence following the issuance of a public notice, ensuring organized operations for this significant infrastructure project.