Starting July 1, commuters travelling on the Bengaluru–Nelamangala section of National Highway-4 (NH-4) will pay revised toll fees, according to a public notice issued by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The Tumakuru road stretch is a key route for traffic entering and exiting Bengaluru, particularly from the north and northwest.
The new tariff structure applies to the 19.5 km access-controlled stretch between 10 km and 29.500 km. The revised toll rates will be applicable at six different plazas along this route. These include plazas located at 14.875 km (towards Nelamangala), 26.075 km (towards Bengaluru), and others at 16.600 km, 17.100 km, 23.150 km, and 23.800 km, catering to vehicles entering from peripheral and service roads.
As per the notification, cars and jeeps will be charged ₹30 for a single trip, ₹45 for a round trip, and ₹865 for a monthly pass. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and mini buses will pay ₹50 for a single journey, ₹75 for a round trip, and ₹1,440 for a monthly pass. For buses and trucks, the toll has been fixed at ₹100 for a one-way trip, ₹150 for a return, and ₹2,955 for a monthly pass. Meanwhile, earthmoving equipment and heavy construction machinery will be charged the highest — ₹160 for a single journey, ₹240 for a round trip, and ₹4,760 for a monthly pass.
Several concessions have been announced by NHAI. Officials said that a 25% discount will be offered on return journeys completed within 24 hours, while a 33% discount applies if 50 single journeys are made in a month. Additionally, commercial vehicles registered in the district (except those under National Permit) will receive a 50% discount.
The toll policy continues to enforce strict penalties on overloaded vehicles, which will be charged 10 times the regular toll rate along with being required to offload excess cargo.
| Type of vehicle | Single Trip | Round Trip | Monthly Pass |
| Car/Jeep | ₹30 | ₹45 | ₹865 |
| LCV/Mini Bus | ₹50 | ₹75 | ₹1440 |
| Bus/Truck | ₹100 | ₹150 | ₹2955 |
| Earthmoving equipment and heavy construction machinery | ₹160 | ₹240 | ₹4760 |
Source: NHAI public notice
Toll hike based on the Wholesale Price Index
Beginning July 1, toll rates on other key stretches in the city, including the NICE Road and the Bengaluru Elevated Tollway from Central Silk Board to Electronics City and further towards Attibele, near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, have also been revised. The hike is based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as of March 31, 2025, which allows for annual adjustments to ensure the financial sustainability and proper upkeep of road infrastructure, according to officials.
“The recent toll revision is in line with the annual adjustment allowed under the National Highways Fee Rules, which are based on the WPI. The revision helps ensure continued maintenance and financial viability of road infrastructure,” said a senior official from NHAI.
“The WPI-based adjustment is calculated as of March 31, but the effective implementation can vary depending on the time taken for approvals and notifications. In some stretches, it happens on April 1, while in others like this year’s Bengaluru-Nelamangala and Electronics City, it’s taken effect from July 1,” the official explained.
Remove tolls on smaller roads
Meanwhile, Radhakrishna Holla, president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators Association, said the toll hike will place an added burden on daily commuters, particularly commercial operators such as taxis, lorries, and trucks. “This increase in toll rates directly impacts daily commuters and hits the commercial transport sector the hardest. Taxi operators, truckers, and logistics providers are already dealing with high fuel prices; this will only add to their operational costs,” Mr. Holla added.
Mr. Holla also urged the government to reconsider toll collection on shorter or less busy four-lane roads, especially where the construction costs have already been recovered. He pointed out that tolling on such stretches disproportionately affects local commuters and small operators.
“There is no justification for continuing toll collection on smaller stretches or four-lane roads where the project cost has already been recovered. The government must review and remove tolls on such roads to ease the burden. Rationalising tolls would be a step towards more equitable and efficient road usage,” Mr. Holla said.
The toll fee hike is based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as of March 31, 2025, which allows for annual adjustments to ensure the financial sustainability and proper upkeep of road infrastructure, according to officials.
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
Commuters say toll rise adds to daily burden
Daily commuters and small transport operators have voiced frustration over the latest toll hike saying it adds to their mounting travel and operational expenses.
Shivakumar R., a supervisor in a garment factory who commutes daily from Nelamangala to Peenya said, “We already spend a lot on fuel and essentials. Now with the toll hike, even daily travel to work becomes more expensive. For people like us who don’t earn much, every rupee counts. This hike feels unfair, especially when there’s no improvement in traffic or road conditions on the Bengaluru and Tumakuru stretch.”
Manjunath Hegde, a small-scale transporter operating goods vehicles between Bengaluru and Tumakuru said, “The toll keeps going up every year, but our income doesn’t. We use this route regularly, and each increase directly cuts into our margins. The government should understand that not all users are big transporters, many of us are small operators trying to stay afloat.”
Published – July 01, 2025 05:39 pm IST
