Toll on SHs begins; plazas set up on five highways

The state government has decided to convert 17 state highways (SHs) in the state into toll roads despite protests in many places.

PWD Minister H D Revanna told reporters that orders have been already issued for toll collection on five SHs — Karkala-Padubidri; Saundatti-Pattadakal; Haveri-Hangal; Dharwad-Saundatti; and Hoskote-Chintamani. The tender agreement is for a period of three years and the toll collection will begin soon, he added.

KRDCL will earn a revenue of Rs 20.30 crore, annually, from these five toll plazas. The minister said that there will be an annual fee enhancement — 10% in the first year; 20% in the second year; and 30% in the third year.

Besides, KRDCL has invited tenders for hiring private agencies to collect toll on nine other highways.

The Cabinet had taken the decision to levy toll on 19 SHs (1,530 km) in 2017. However, as two highways were dropped from the project, it was proposed to set up toll gates on 17 SHs.

These roads were developed under the Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP), aided by the World Bank and the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL).

On Sunday, people protested against the proposed toll gate at Belmannu on Karkala-Padubidri state highway in Udupi district. Currently, the toll is being collected on only two other SHs — Dharwad-Ramanagaram (near Goa); and Wagdari-Ribbonpalli. Since the roads were developed on a PPP model, the revenue will be collected by the contractor for a period of 16 years.