The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered issue of notice to the State government, the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL), and others on a PIL petition complaining that a private company is ‘illegally’ collecting toll on the Bengaluru-Doddaballapur State Highway when though 50% of the improvement work is not complete.
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice L. Narayana Swamy and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar passed the order on a petition filed by S. Naveen Kumar, a resident of Yelahanka.
Citing information secured under the RTI Act, the petitioner has contended that M/s. Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers Consultants Pvt. Ltd., as per the agreement with the KRDCL, could collect toll only after completion of 100% of the assigned highway improvement work.
The petitioner has also pointed out that the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is collecting extra charge from passengers towards toll payment on this road. The petitioner has sought a direction to authorities to stop toll collection till all the work of highway improvement is completed as per the agreement.