Bengaluru: Transport dept revenue crosses Rs 6k cr as 17L new vehicles hit Karnataka roads

BENGALURU: The state transport department said on Monday its revenue collection has crossed Rs 6,000 crore, thanks to rise in the number of vehicles on road.

Statistics show revenue collection increased from Rs 5,954 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 6,168 crore in 2018-19, mainly because of the registration of new vehicles, which contributes to 80-90% of the department’s earnings.

Transport commissioner VP Ikkeri said 16.9 lakh new vehicles were added to Karnataka roads during 2018-19, including 6.4 lakh in Bengaluru alone. The state has 2.1 crore registered vehicles, including 80.5 lakh in Bengaluru. The department has collected Rs 135 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 160 crore in 2018-19 through various enforcement drives.

Road tax, registration fee for new vehicles, permit fee, pending taxes and fines, driving licence fee and inspection fee at checkposts are the department’s major revenue sources. Karnataka levies the highest road tax in the country. A majority of the department’s revenue is from Bengaluru, home to more than 80 lakh vehicles.
The transport department is the fourth largest revenue contributor to the government’s treasury after commercial taxes, stamps and registration and excise.

The rise in the number of vehicles has resulted in increasing traffic congestion and pollution, particularly in Bengaluru. However, Ikkeri said: “There is an increase in the number of vehicles across the state, but there is no provision to restrict the registration of new vehicles.”