'Toll is still high'

'Toll is still high'
Kaushik Chakravarthy and Sandeep Moudgal, DH News Service, Bangalore:
The reduction of toll by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) by 25 to 30 per cent has done little to pacify the general public.We paid Rs 62 for a distance of 34 km, from Anekal to Tumkur Road, said a motorist driving a car. Such complaints were heard practically at all the toll booths along the BMIC.

Besides, exorbitant toll rates in the absence of a monthly pass or concession is a matter of great concern for daily commuters. Chandrashekhar, a motorist says “I use the NICE corridor everyday and absence of a monthly pass really pinches my pockets.” Ruling out traditional pass system, NICE Public Relations Officer Manjunath said, “We are looking at introducing a Smart Card System with readers at each booth as early as possible. Daily commuters will be given huge and happy discount.”

From disappointed drivers of heavy vehicles to angry motorists on their two-wheelers and cars there is widespread resentment among the public about the NICE corridor being too expensive a proposition.
A first-time motorist Srinivas was in for a rude shock when he discovered toll booths every few kilometres along the road. “At this rate, they might as well charge pedestrians. Where does this stop? I for one will avoid using this road,” he said.

Another curious aspect is the ban on autos and other three-wheelers in the corridor. Although, autos continue to use the corridor, there is no definite toll. “When there is a road, it should be for everyone. I pay the amo unt same as that paid by cars and a lot of time customers don’t come forward to pay the toll,” said Arjun, an auto driver near Tumkur Road.


However, the public relation officer of NICE said that most auto drivers volunteer to pay the sum charged for cars as they know autos are prohibited.

GUARDS DEPLOYED

The most evident of the changes on the corridor is the deployment of armed guards at each toll booth. With double barrels slinging on their shoulders, the Royal Coorg Security Services are manning every toll gate from Bannerghatta to Tumkur Road on the corridor. “They are there to fulfill certain security requirements and to prevent the misuse of the corridor. There will be more security measures in the future,” Manjunath, PRO of the company clarified.