Toll hike at Sadahalli Plaza to increase travel costs for Bengaluru airport consumers

Starting midnight on April 2, toll charges for vehicles passing through the Sadahalli toll plaza on the route to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru will rise, following approval from the Union Government. This increase will further add to the financial strain on regular commuters using the already expensive toll road. The revised charges apply to both one-way travel and return journeys completed within 24 hours.

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As per the new rates, light motor vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and vans will now be charged Rs 120 for a single journey and Rs 180 for a round trip, up from the previous Rs 115 and Rs 170, respectively. Light commercial vehicles, goods carriers and minibuses will see an increase from Rs 175 to Rs 185 for a one-way trip and from Rs 265 to Rs 275 for a round trip. Larger vehicles such as buses and trucks will now be required to pay Rs 370 for a single journey and Rs 550 for a return trip, compared to the earlier Rs 355 and Rs 535. Meanwhile, heavy motor construction equipment and three to six-axle vehicles will be charged Rs 560 for a one-way trip and Rs 840 for a round trip, while vehicles with more than seven axles will have to pay Rs 725 and Rs 1,090, respectively.

The toll plaza’s location right before the airport access road has led to persistent demands for its removal, as many believe travelers heading exclusively to the airport should not be subjected to highway tolls. The rising costs have also discouraged several cab drivers from accepting airport rides, leading to long waiting times for passengers in need of taxis.

In addition to this, commuters using the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway will also have to pay higher toll charges from April 2, further increasing travel expenses for daily passengers. The overall hike in toll rates on key routes across Karnataka is expected to impact both private and public transport users.