The potential ‘Congestion Tax’ is expected to be applied to critical routes, including Outer Ring Road, Sarjapur Road, Hosur Road, Old Airport Road, Old Madras Road, Bellary Road, Bannerghatta Road, Kanakapura Road, Magadi Road, West of Cord Road, and Tumkur Road. While the implementation of congestion tolls is still under consideration, it represents a promising move to address Bengaluru’s traffic issues and promote more sustainable transportation alternatives.
To combat Bengaluru’s well-known traffic congestion, the state government is exploring the idea of introducing a ‘Congestion Tax.’ This proposed tax aims to encourage greater use of public transportation and reduce the strain on the city’s overloaded road network. Bengaluru’s commuters are already dealing with various tolls, and the prospect of an additional tax has sparked concerns among drivers. Under the government’s plan, a traffic toll would be imposed on vehicles entering Bengaluru, with a particular focus on those using nine major routes during peak traffic hours. Given the daily influx of a staggering 1.2 crore vehicles into the city, implementing a congestion charge could become a significant revenue source for the government.
This concept of congestion tolls is outlined in a comprehensive report titled “Blueprint for Karnataka’s Decade-1 trillion Economy,” created through collaboration between the Department of Planning and Statistics and the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The report acknowledges the worsening traffic congestion in Bengaluru and sees congestion tolling as a feasible solution. Notably, the number of private vehicles in the city surged by a remarkable 280% from 2007 to 2020, leading to a substantial increase in the total vehicle count from 2.1 million to an astonishing 8 million.
The report emphasizes the need to promote the utilization of public transportation, which currently stands at a mere 48% in the city. The introduction of congestion tolls is considered a vital step in encouraging greater reliance on public transit. This measure is expected to improve travel times for buses, cars, and delivery vehicles alike. Taking inspiration from the successful implementation of the FASTag system in 2021, the report suggests adopting a similar model for charging congestion tolls.
Officials from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) express optimism that the congestion charge system will act as an incentive for people to shift from private vehicles to the city’s public transport network. As the cost of driving in Bengaluru rises due to these traffic charges, public transport is expected to become a more attractive option for commuters.
