HomeUrban NewsBangaloreBengaluru Announces Revised Toll Rates on NICE Road from July 1 Onwards

Bengaluru Announces Revised Toll Rates on NICE Road from July 1 Onwards

Bengaluru commuters using the NICE Road will now face a marginally higher cost of travel as revised toll tariffs have come into effect from July 1. Nandi Economic Corridor Enterprises Limited (NECE), the operator of the corridor, has implemented the revised toll structure across seven key stretches of the road network that connects various arterial routes and suburban nodes of the city.

While the revision remains moderate for private vehicles, commercial categories such as buses have seen a relatively steep increase. The move has triggered fresh debate among daily road users, especially as fuel costs and inflation continue to burden urban mobility budgets. According to the public notice issued by NECE, toll for cars and two-wheelers has increased by ₹3 to ₹5 per stretch on most segments, while tolls on select stretches remain unchanged. The hike applies to stretches like Hosur Road to Bannerghatta Road, Bannerghatta Road to Kanakapura Road, and the major Mysuru Road to Magadi Road segment. Commuters driving cars now pay ₹65 on the Hosur Road to Bannerghatta Road stretch, up from the earlier ₹60. Two-wheelers will pay ₹30 instead of ₹25. Similarly, on the Bannerghatta Road to Kanakapura Road section, the toll for cars has gone up from ₹45 to ₹48, with two-wheelers retaining the previous rate of ₹15.

The most noticeable increases, however, are in the commercial vehicle category. Buses now pay ₹195 on the Hosur Road to Bannerghatta Road stretch, up from ₹170, and ₹205 on the Mysuru Road to Magadi Road route, compared to the earlier ₹180. Transporters and fleet operators have expressed concern over this rise, indicating that it may eventually cascade into increased passenger ticket prices and freight rates. Experts note that toll revisions are generally governed by concession agreements that allow annual hikes based on inflation indices or cost recovery targets. NECE, a private concessionaire, has been operating the NICE Road under a public-private partnership model. Officials have maintained that the hike is routine and compliant with contractual norms, and that revenue from tolls contributes towards maintenance, operational improvements, and infrastructure upkeep along the 63 km corridor.

However, for Bengaluru’s road users, the cumulative financial burden of toll hikes, vehicle maintenance, and fuel expenses remains a sore point. Many citizens have raised concerns over the need for better transparency in how toll revenues are utilised, particularly in a context where commuters report inconsistent road quality, traffic congestion at toll plazas, and inadequate support services during breakdowns or emergencies. Sustainable mobility advocates argue that frequent toll revisions, while contractually valid, should be weighed against the socio-economic impact they have on daily commuters, particularly those from middle- and lower-income households who rely on personal two-wheelers or pooled cabs. Rising mobility costs could push more citizens toward public transport alternatives, yet those systems must be made more robust to absorb the shift effectively.

Urban planners and environmental experts have also called for a deeper reassessment of how toll-funded infrastructure is balanced with eco-friendly transport priorities. While express corridors like NICE Road offer speed and convenience, they are also high-carbon transit paths. Some experts advocate for a model where part of the toll revenue is redirected toward low-emission transport solutions such as electric buses, bike-sharing infrastructure, and non-motorised transport corridors. The NICE Road remains a critical infrastructure spine in Bengaluru, offering an outer-ring connectivity bypass to ease congestion in the city core. It connects Hosur Road, Bannerghatta Road, Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road, Magadi Road and Tumakuru Road, providing logistical relief and reducing travel times for both commuters and goods transporters. However, as the city continues to expand, the demand for equitable and sustainable transport systems is becoming more pronounced.

State transport officials and mobility analysts acknowledge that toll roads will continue to play a role in Bengaluru’s infrastructure story, especially in high-growth zones. However, they also stress the importance of making toll policies more data-driven and inclusive. Suggestions include offering discounts for high-frequency commuters, dynamic tolling based on time-of-day, and seamless digital payments to reduce queueing and emissions at plazas. The toll hike also mirrors adjustments on other access-controlled corridors such as the Electronics City Expressway, where similar rate revisions have come into force from July 1. Together, these revisions point to a broader recalibration of user-pays infrastructure models across Karnataka’s urban transport corridors.

As stakeholders continue to assess the impact of the new toll regime, there is growing demand for greater public engagement in mobility planning and policy decisions. Whether the cost of convenience can be offset by improved service quality and sustainable investment will determine the long-term public perception of Bengaluru’s toll infrastructure.

Also Read : Kolkata Airport conducts emergency response drill simulating aircraft crash in rain

Bengaluru Announces Revised Toll Rates on NICE Road from July 1 Onwards
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