Kumaraswamy urges public to skip NICE toll, sets 2-week deadline for govt
- Kumaraswamy has called on the public to refuse paying NICE toll.
- He has given the government a two-week ultimatum to stop toll collection.
- The demand adds to ongoing disputes over the private expressway's toll charges.
Bengaluru: In a sharp escalation of the ongoing row over the NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises) toll, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has asked the city's residents to stop paying the fee altogether. He has also handed the state government a two-week deadline to bring toll collection to a halt.
The former chief minister's remarks came on Saturday, injecting fresh energy into a long-simmering public grievance against the private expressway operator. Kumaraswamy's directive is aimed squarely at the government, demanding action rather than further deliberation.
Two-week ultimatum
Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said the government has 14 days to stop the toll collection at NICE road plazas. If the deadline passes without action, he indicated, the public should simply refuse to pay.
"Don't pay the toll," he said, addressing commuters directly. The minister's statement effectively shifts the burden onto the state administration, which has so far struggled to resolve the contentious issue.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether the government will heed the demand, and no formal response has been issued so far.
Long-running dispute
The NICE corridor, a private toll road encircling parts of Bengaluru, has been a flashpoint for years. Commuters have frequently complained about high charges, poor maintenance, and a lack of transparency in the concession agreement.
Kumaraswamy's latest intervention follows previous calls for renegotiation, but Saturday's appeal marks a more direct challenge. By urging non-payment, he is testing both the legal framework and the government's political will.
The company operating the expressway has not yet commented on the minister's remarks.
What lies ahead
The next two weeks will be crucial. The state government must weigh legal obligations against public sentiment, while NICE officials will likely resist any move to stop collections without compensation.
Kumaraswamy's stance could also force a broader debate on private infrastructure contracts in Karnataka. For now, all eyes are on the government's response, and on whether Bengaluru's commuters will follow the minister's call.