According to NHAI officials, the demands will be sent to NHAI headquarters in Delhi.
“They have been demanding revocation of the toll on vehicles bound for Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). We have asked them to give their demands in writing, which would be conveyed to officials in Delhi,” said an NHAI official.
“We have no powers to take a call on the toll to be levied on NH-7. In fact, any such decision to this effect must be taken by the minister,” he said.
Admitting that they were ‘behind schedule’ in levying the toll, NHAI officials said it was due to delay in receiving the toll rate card fixed for the stretch from Hebbal to BIA.
“We were to get the rate card in the first week of April. Once we get the toll rates, within 10 days, Navayuga will fix the toll for vehicles,” said the official.
Terming the talks with NHAI a success, AIMTC President G R Shanmugappa said the next round of discussion would determine the future course of action.
“For now, there will be no toll. We will discuss the matter in detail with NHAI top brass in Delhi on April 21,” he said.
The AIMTC, along with associated organisations like Bangalore Tourist Taxi Drivers’ Organisation and the Maxi Cab Drivers’ Union, had earlier threatened to go on strike if the toll was levied before the completion of the expressway.
The AIMTC has demanded that the toll fee be relaxed for all vehicles going towards BIA till the completion of the expressway. They have also demanded a service road and a toll-free road for commuters to the airport.
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