Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued directives to the Central Government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The court’s action stems from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging the unlawful collection of user fees at the Nagasandra toll plaza, situated strategically on the periphery of Bengaluru. This development signals a heightened judicial scrutiny over the accountability of public infrastructure management, a cornerstone for building truly equitable and sustainable urban environments.
The petition, lodged by advocate A.V. Amarnathan, contends that the contract authorising toll collection at the Nagasandra facility formally lapsed in 2021. Despite this purported expiration, the plaza has allegedly continued to levy charges, predominantly through the ubiquitous FASTag system, on vehicles traversing this crucial artery that connects Bengaluru to nearly twenty districts across Karnataka. The PIL characterises this ongoing collection as illegal, arbitrary, and without proper authorisation, further highlighting concerns given the plaza’s location within the city’s expanding limits.
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A key demand within the litigation is the complete disclosure of all toll revenue amassed at the Nagasandra plaza from 2021 to the present. This request for financial transparency underscores a broader public and judicial interest in ensuring that public funds, whether collected directly or indirectly, are managed with utmost probity. The alleged daily collection of substantial sums, potentially running into lakhs of rupees post-contract expiry, raises pertinent questions about oversight mechanisms and the efficacy of regulatory frameworks governing national highway operations.
This case unfolds amidst a national discourse on the integrity of toll operations. Earlier this year, the NHAI took decisive action, debarring fourteen toll collection agencies following an extensive probe by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) that unearthed widespread fraudulent practices. This crackdown, which saw thirteen user fee-collecting agencies barred for two years in March 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the system and the imperative for robust enforcement. Furthermore, parliamentary disclosures revealed that ₹12.55 lakh in refunds were issued in 2024 due to faulty toll deductions, with over ₹2 crore imposed as fines on agencies for similar irregularities.
The Karnataka High Court’s notice is the latest in a series of judicial and administrative measures aimed at bolstering accountability and transparency within India’s extensive toll collection network. Ensuring fair and legally compliant practices in infrastructure funding is paramount for fostering public trust and promoting equitable access to essential urban and inter-city connectivity. As cities strive towards becoming more sustainable and inclusive, the judicious management of public assets and the unwavering commitment to legal adherence become non-negotiable pillars of progress, benefiting all citizens regardless of their socio-economic standing.
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