Starting Saturday, all vehicles travelling from the BIAL towards the city will have to pay a toll at the Sadarahalli Gate on NH-7 (Bangalore-Bellary Road).
After the High Court on Thursday vacated the stay that was imposed by a Devanhalli court on collection of toll on this highway, the authorities spent the whole of Friday waiting for the judgment copy.
As per the order, each vehicle will have to pay Rs 25 while leaving BIA.
The Navayuga Devanahalli Tollway Pvt Ltd did not start collecting toll on Friday but conducted dry runs, to gauge the responses, when vehicles were stopped to inform them about the toll collection.
“The court had instructed us to start collecting toll immediately after the judgment was passed on Thursday. However, we wanted to get a physical copy of the order signed by the judge and had to wait the entire day at the DCP’s office to get that. Toll collection will start on Saturday because we will have the copy of order that would be made available to anyone who questions toll collection,” said B Srinivas, Toll Manager, Navayuga Devanahalli Tollway Pvt Ltd.
Associations that would be affected after toll collection, claim that the NHAI and Navayuga Devanahalli Tollway Pvt Ltd would have to face protests.
“We are not questioning the High Court order. We are just saying that it is not right to collect toll before the elevated highway, towards the BIA, is completely constructed,” said Radhakrishna Holla, secretary, Bangalore Taxi Drivers’ Association.
Members of the Hotel owners association in Devanahalli feared that their supplies of vegetables and fruits would not reach them if farmers began to protest.
“The government should make way for those who earn meagre profits so that they do not end up spending all their money in paying toll,” said Vasudeva Adiga, president, Bangalore, Hoteliers Association.