Starting September 1, toll rates will rise for car travel from Chennai to Bengaluru and to southern and western districts of Tamil Nadu. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased tolls at over 25 plazas across the state, with the cost for a trip from Chennai to Bengaluru rising from ₹430 to ₹460.
This annual increase follows calls to remove toll plazas, especially those within urban areas. Despite requests from the state highways minister, no action has been taken by NHAI, which operates under the Union Road Transport Ministry.
Transportation activist S Kamal criticized the increase, calling it an “unnecessary burden” on the public due to ongoing road construction delays and damaged highway sections, particularly around Chennai. He highlighted issues such as unfinished pothole repairs and incomplete stormwater drain construction, which have caused severe traffic problems in the past.
Resident S Ganesh expressed concerns about inadequate infrastructure, such as poor lighting on accident-prone sections of the Chennai-Trichy highway. Complaints about these issues have not led to improvements, even as tolls are collected. NHAI data shows toll collections in Tamil Nadu reach at least ₹4,221 crore annually, with the Thopur plaza alone collecting ₹269 crore. Traders warn that the toll hike may increase essential goods prices, and private bus operators are expected to raise fares. Toll operators argue that the increase is necessary to cover 40% of costs not yet recovered from road construction and maintenance.
