BMRTL proposes imposition of entry tax on busy roads

BMRTL proposes imposition of entry tax on busy roads

The Hindu

Roads to be decided based on volume of traffic during peak hours, modes of transport available

# Idea is borrowed from cities such as Singapore and Paris
# Entry tax will be imposed on all private vehicles entering identified roads
# Tax likely to be substantially high
# Transport expert M.N. Sri Hari says the levy is a bad idea
# Idea is borrowed from cities such as Singapore and Paris
# Entry tax will be imposed on all private vehicles entering identified roads
# Tax likely to be substantially high
# Transport expert M.N. Sri Hari says the levy is a bad idea

BANGALORE: Imagine having to pay entry tax to enter some of the busiest roads in Bangalore.

Well, the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL) has mooted this idea in an effort to decongest the city.

Entry tax will be imposed on all private vehicles entering specific roads. According to sources in BMRTL, the tax amount will be substantially high.

"It will be high enough for any one to think twice before bringing their car on that road," says an official.

Borrowed

The idea of the entry tax has been borrowed from cities such as Singapore and Paris. In Singapore, the restricted zone for private vehicles covers more than two square miles of that city.

Private vehicles entering this zone have to pay a fee of Singapore $ 1.80 for multiple entries into the zone. In Paris too, the model is similar.

"It has worked well in both the cities; it is workable here," says K.N. Srivastava, Managing Director of BMRTL.

Volume of traffic

Mr. Srivastava says the Transport Department will shortly draw up the stretches of roads on which BMRTL is mooting the entry tax.

"The roads will be decided on the volume of traffic during peak hours and will take into consideration the modes of transport available in the area," he says.

Transport expert M.N. Sri Hari says the imposition of an entry tax is a bad idea.

"Just to ensure patronage on the metro rail, the authorities cannot try and downgrade the other systems. It will be unfair," he says.

Approval

Mr. Hari says implementation of the entry tax has to be approved by the 100 municipal councillors. "The entry tax is easier said than done," he adds.

The BMRTL has also proposed to re-introduce parking fees in the city and restrict the entry of three-wheelers on certain roads.

Mr. Srivastava says BMRTL has spoken to autorickshaw drivers on the restrictions. "We do not want to phase them out from the city, we just want to relocate some of them so that they can work better with the public transport system," he says.