The decision to introduce a toll on the road is in tune with Government of India policy. When this project (NH-7) was approved on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis, it was decided that people would be required to pay for using the road. As all NHAI projects follow this policy, there is no road under them anywhere in India which is not tolled.

The state government had agreed to this arrangement to improve connectivity to the BIA. The argument that the toll is being levied before completion of work is not justified as the six lane road is ready for use. We have already expanded the 24-km stretch between the Hebbal Flyover and BIA to six lanes and the toll that the NHAI will charge now for using it is in accordance with the agreement entered into between the state and Union governments. The ongoing work is to construct a 3.9 km long elevated highway, two flyovers and four underpasses. Once they are ready, the toll rates will be revised for use of the elevated road. The Union government has fixed the date of starting toll collection with the consent of the state government, which has agreed to this arrangement of tolling the six lane highway while the other work is under progress.

But people travelling to points before the international airport will not be charged as the toll applies only to airport going vehicles . It will be collected when they are exiting the airport to save time and delay when they are rushing to get to it.

— The writer is regional director, National Highways Authority of India

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‘A hasty decision made in secret’
Ashwin Mahesh

Levying a toll on the road to the airport is a bad idea. It was done hastily and secretly. The NHAI should not unilaterally take decisions on the roads within the city or in the city impact areas. It is obliged to work with other departments of the government and cannot act like the East India Company like it is doing right now. Were there any public consultations on this issue? Was feedback taken from various departments and the public and was it taken into account while making this decision?

When the NHAI says it has consulted the state government, I would like to know which departments or agencies in the government have been consulted. According to my information, the NHAI consulted only the Public Works Department (PWD) on this. Even if the PWD has agreed to this, it is not the right department to take a decision on such a matter. This is not just a civil contract.

For such a decision in areas under the jurisdiction of the metropolitan authority or areas around the metropolitan area, the NHAI must also consult departments like urban development and transport. Before levying a toll on the road leading to the BIA, besides other authorities, the BBMP should have been consulted. Also, many argue that when they do not pay to reach the bus station or railway station, why should they pay to reach the airport, which is already very far from the city, requiring them to spend on travel.

— The writer is member, Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure and Development Task Force (ABIDe)