A lower court in Devanahalli has stayed the collection of toll fee on NH-7 (Bengaluru-Bellary Road) near the trumpet interchange of the Bengaluru International Airport, with effect from April 3. The court passed the orders on an application filed in public interest by several advocates. According to the advocates, the toll plaza should not have been built within city limits. Also, the toll should have been collected only when the revamping of Bellary Road was completed. Most glaring omission of all is that there are no service roads for people living near the toll plaza.
The advocates had filed the application before the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Devanahalli. After hearing their application the court passed an order in their favor suspending the collection of toll. Reacting to the order suspending oll collection, NHAI chief general manager (technical) A. K. Mathur said: “If the order is issued by a lower court, we will go to the High Court. We are going to take up the issue soon.”
“If the court has issued a directive, we will have to follow it. We will later see what the legal remedy could be,” said NHAI project director, R.K. Gupta. After much resistance from various associations, the toll collection began on February 13, 2012. Vehicle users of Bellary Road, including those headed to the airport had to halt at Saradhalli gate on NH-7 to pay the toll fee. While two-wheelers, three-wheelers and tractors are exempt, the fee for cars, jeeps and light motor vehicles is Rs 20 and Rs 25 (single journey and return trip within 24 hours).
Various transport associations including the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) welcomed the suspension of toll fee on this stretch. According to AIMTC Chief G.R. Shanmugappa, the decision is justified as toll collection booths as per the guidelines should not be erected within 10 km of BBMP limits.