Alternative road eats into toll on KIA stretch

The collection of toll on the elevated road to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has come down by about Rs 3.5 crore per month since March due to the combined factors of alternative road and an "escape route" at Sadahalli junction.

Sources in NHAI said that vehicles use the entire tolled road but avoid paying for it by taking a U-turn right in front of the toll plaza. They then take the BK Halli road at Sadahalli Gate and drive through Shettigere to reach Begur Road, which is part of the alternative road network built during the construction of Hennur-Bagalur Road.

“The new road via Begur is part of the alternative road built by the state government. Prior to that, there was no way one could escape toll. Since March, the revenue has seen a steady drop. Over the last few months, the daily collection has come down by Rs 12 lakh during weekdays and Rs 15 lakh during weekends,” the source said.

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The toll is fixed at Rs 85 for one-way and Rs 130 for the return journey. Officials said most of the taxi drivers use the tolled roads while entering the airport and go back to the city through alternative road.

“In March and April, the number of taxis using tolled road came down drastically as all of them took the new road. Only after security concerns were raised following an incident of assault on a woman passenger, have they been strictly directed to use the elevated road,” an NHAI official said.

However, a staffer at the plaza said the escape route has come as a breather for many who have long fought for a service road. “This road has come as a saviour of Chikkajala and Bettahalasur who did not have proper roads. They had to pay through the nose for using the expressway earlier,” he said.

When contacted, NHAI officials said they have not received any complaint from the concessionaire. “We can look into the issue if we get a complaint,” a senior official told DH.