BENGALURU: Passengers speeding as always to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on Monday found that at the stroke of midnight they had to dig a little deeper into their pockets and pay a toll to access the airport.
As announced by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the new toll, cab and four-wheelers are paying Rs 85 for a one-way trip and Rs 125 for a two-way. Light motor vehicles are required to pay Rs 130 for a one-way trip and Rs 190 for a two -way.
Till now the toll was collected only on the return journey from the airport, exempting passengers flying out of the city from paying it. But with the NHAI finding its revenue hit by the opening of an alternative road to KIA, it was decided to collect the toll on the onward journey to it to make sure no one got away without paying.
But the move has thrown up concerns about possible congestion at the toll gate just ahead of the airport delaying passengers hurrying to catch flights. However, a senior NHAI officer says 15 lanes have been opened to ease traffic. “Toll booth staff have also been told not to take more than 30 seconds for each vehicle," he said.
The traffic police seem satisfied with the arrangements made. "Initially, we thought there would be chaos but later learnt 15 toll lanes to KIA have been set up. This will help ease the congestion," said local traffic police officers.
