NICE Road Toll Row Deepens as Motorists and Toll Staff Clash
The NICE Road toll dispute in Karnataka has intensified after HD Kumaraswamy urged motorists not to pay, while the operator warned of legal action and farmers raised unresolved concerns.
NICE Road toll dispute is creating confusion among motorists.
HD Kumaraswamy has urged people to stop toll payments.
NICE Road staff have warned of legal action.
The controversy surrounding toll collection on Bengaluru’s NICE Road has taken another turn, with motorists and toll booth staff reportedly facing repeated arguments over payments. The dispute gained momentum after Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy publicly appealed to motorists not to pay the toll and asked the Karnataka government to intervene.
The situation has left some road users unsure about what they should do at toll plazas. While some motorists are refusing to pay, toll personnel have reportedly questioned whether there is any court order specifically directing commuters to stop making payments.
The latest dispute comes after the Karnataka High Court made strong observations regarding the Bengaluru Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project in a July 29 judgment. The court raised concerns about the project, including issues involving land acquisition and compensation to farmers.
Kumaraswamy has relied on these observations while demanding that the state government take control of the NICE project and halt toll collection. On August 16, he also wrote to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar seeking government intervention over what he described as unauthorised toll collection. Shivakumar said the government would act according to the law after examining the matter.
The controversy is not limited to motorists. Farmers who gave their land for the project have also renewed their concerns. Some landowners say their long standing demands, including issues surrounding compensation and promised rehabilitation benefits, have received less attention than the current argument over toll payments.
Farmer groups have backed Kumaraswamy’s position, arguing that the High Court observations raise serious questions about the project. At the same time, the wider dispute has brought renewed attention to the difficulties faced by landowners connected with the NICE project.
NICE administration has taken a different position. The operator has maintained that the High Court has not issued an order declaring toll collection illegal and has warned that refusing to pay toll or harassing employees could lead to legal action.
The conflicting positions have created an unusual situation on the road. One side is pointing to the High Court observations and Kumaraswamy’s appeal, while the toll operator insists that motorists remain responsible for paying the applicable charges.
For regular NICE Road users, the immediate question is simple but remains unanswered. Until the government or a competent court gives clear directions on toll collection, the dispute is likely to continue at toll plazas and remain a political issue in Karnataka.
