A Bengaluru commuter’s viral post criticising the condition of the NICE Road has reignited debate over toll charges, traffic management, and commuter safety on one of the city’s most heavily used stretches. The post, shared widely on social media, described the corridor as “Not-so-NICE Road” and drew thousands of responses from residents frustrated with the mismatch between premium tolls and poor road discipline.
The commuter highlighted how trucks frequently occupy multiple lanes and crawl at uneven speeds, leaving cars and two-wheelers struggling to navigate safely. The absence of designated lanes for smaller vehicles, coupled with erratic overtaking, was flagged as a recurring hazard. Several users echoed the concern, pointing out how cluster driving and poor braking distances make daily commuting a stressful ordeal.
Central to the anger was the toll structure. A single trip between Tumkur Road and Electronic City costs ₹306 for 43 km, translating to ₹7.10 per kilometre—one of the highest urban toll rates in India. Motorists argued that the charges are disproportionate to the infrastructure offered, particularly given the lack of enforcement, inadequate illumination, and limited safety barriers. Many residents demanded a fairer system where cars and two-wheelers are either given discounts or provided with separate lanes to bypass heavy goods traffic. Suggestions included installing plastic barricades to prevent vehicles from misusing shoulders and ensuring adequate lighting at night to reduce accident risks.
Transport experts note that NICE Road was originally conceived as a bypass route designed primarily for freight vehicles. But as Bengaluru’s urban sprawl extended, the corridor transformed into a critical commuter artery for residents heading to Electronic City and other hubs. This urban shift has brought private vehicles into direct conflict with long-haul trucks, straining a road network that was not designed for such mixed traffic. On social media, some users contextualised the problem as part of a wider national issue, where highways across India suffer from unregulated overtaking by trucks moving at marginal speed differences. The lack of driver education and limited policing were identified as key reasons why traffic efficiency and safety remain compromised.
Calls are now growing for both the state government and the Ministry of Road Transport to step in and review NICE Road’s toll and traffic management systems. Commuters argue that if the tolls are to remain among the highest in the region, they should be matched by world-class infrastructure, clear lane segregation, and consistent enforcement. As Bengaluru positions itself as a global technology hub, sustainable and equitable mobility remains central to its growth. Whether NICE Road evolves into a model expressway or continues to frustrate commuters will depend on how quickly authorities respond to the mounting chorus for safer, fairer, and more sustainable road infrastructure.
