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Toll soon on Karnataka stretch of Bengaluru-Chennai expressway
Bengaluru: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to begin toll collection on the 70-km Karnataka stretch of the newly opened Bengaluru-Chennai expressway, marking the end of free travel for motorists using the route daily.
The expressway — the first in Karnataka — was unofficially opened in Feb, allowing vehicles to travel from Hoskote to Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). According to NHAI, toll rates are being finalised, with car users likely to pay Rs 150 for a one-way trip and Rs 225 for a return journey. There are three interchanges — Malur, Bangarpet, and Bethamangala — with tolls ranging from Rs 55 to Rs 150. Heavy vehicles may be charged up to Rs 520 one-way and Rs 780 for a round trip.
"The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) has notified tolling for this stretch. Once the commercial operations wing completes the procedural formalities and the district authorities are informed, toll collection will begin," NHAI regional officer Vilas Brahmankar said.
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The 261-km greenfield expressway spans Karnataka (76 km), Andhra Pradesh (91 km), and Tamil Nadu (94 km). However, the stretches in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are still under construction.
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Currently, 2,000 to 2,500 vehicles use the road daily. NHAI has provided Rs 20 crore to Karnataka to upgrade 18km of connecting village and district roads to boost access to the expressway from Bengaluru-Kolar highway. Once completed, traffic is expected to increase significantly.
Motorists accessing the expressway via Hoskote continue to face congestion on Old Madras Road. However, connectivity is set to improve with the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) at Hoskote and a new STRR-Hosur link expected to be operational by Aug.
Officials confirmed that two-wheelers, autorickshaws, and tractors are banned on the expressway. Despite this, bikers have been illegally accessing the route, raising safety concerns. There have already been several fatal accidents due to speeding.
"The road is designed for a speed of 120 kmph for cars. We've implemented road safety measures and jurisdictional police have stepped up enforcement," said an NHAI official.
Tolling will formally begin once public notice is issued, bringing structured regulation to one of Karnataka's key expressway projects.
