Soon, road users between Devihalli and Hassan on the National Highway-75 will have to pay toll. This means the entire stretch between Bangalore and Hassan will be a tolled road. For, toll is already being collected up to Devihalli from Bangalore.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project for four laning the 77-kms stretch between Devihalli and Hassan has been done on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis and has been executed by L&T Devihalli Hassan Tollway Limited. This is a part of the effort by the NHAI to connect Bangalore-Mangalore by four-lane expressway. The stretch between Bangalore-Nelamangala and Nelamangala-Devihalli (near Bellur cross) is already four-lane and there are two toll plazas. Now, the stretch between Devihalli and Hassan is ready.
With the completion of this work, the distance of 185 kms between Bangalore and Hassan could be covered in about three hours. As per a newspaper notification issued by L&T Devihalli Hassan Tollway Ltd, the fee for a single journey by car, jeep, van etc., will be Rs 35 to cover near 40 kms and another Rs 20 to cover another 20 kms.
For buses/trucks it will be Rs 175 to cover the entire stretch of 60 kms. However, the company has not specified the date from which the toll would be collected. Now, the total road user fees between Bangalore and Hassan would be around Rs 110 per car for one-way movement.
The upgraded stretch between Devihalli and Hassan has a 19 kms by-pass and two toll plazas - one near Kadabahalli and another near Shantigarama.
The concession period for the project is 30 years. The total cost of the project is put at Rs 494 crore.
The promoters’ equity is Rs 90 crore, NHAI’s Rs 180 crore and the rest debt-equity ratio of Rs 224 crore. The four-laning work between Nelamangala and Devihalli was executed by Lanco Devihalli Highways Pvt Ltd at a cost of of Rs 441 crore.
Road widening
Official sources said the ultimate aim of widening of the NH 75 (earlier 48) is to reduce travel time and improve travel quality between Bangalore and Mangalore. But, the NHAI is not sure as to whether it would be able to take up the four-laning between Hassan and Mangalore via Shiradi ghat, which is 184 kms.
Sources said a detailed project report has been submitted to the government regarding the third and final phase of the road widening and upgrading to cover Hassan-Mangalore stretch.
But, the project may run into trouble as several tress have to be felled for the road widening in the ghat section. Environmental issues may pose hurdles in getting necessary clearances for the project. The DPR has projected that Rs 1,500 crore may be required to complete the final phase.
On the other, the Surface Transport Ministry is trying hard to push for a tunnel route in the ghat section. If this project materialises, the road widening may take a back seat, sources added.