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The Hindu
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Toll hiked on Bengaluru–Nelamangala section of NH4, irked commuters call it ‘unfair'
Starting July 1, commuters travelling on the Bengaluru–Nelamangala section of National Highway-4 (NH-4) will pay revised toll fees, according to a public notice issued by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The Tumakuru road stretch is a key route for traffic entering and exiting Bengaluru, particularly from the north and northwest. The new tariff structure applies to the 19.5 km access-controlled stretch between 10 km and 29.500 km. The revised toll rates will be applicable at six different plazas along this route. These include plazas located at 14.875 km (towards Nelamangala), 26.075 km (towards Bengaluru), and others at 16.600 km, 17.100 km, 23.150 km, and 23.800 km, catering to vehicles entering from peripheral and service roads. As per the notification, cars and jeeps will be charged ₹30 for a single trip, ₹45 for a round trip, and ₹865 for a monthly pass. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and mini buses will pay ₹50 for a single journey, ₹75 for a round trip, and ₹1,440 for a monthly pass. For buses and trucks, the toll has been fixed at ₹100 for a one-way trip, ₹150 for a return, and ₹2,955 for a monthly pass. Meanwhile, earthmoving equipment and heavy construction machinery will be charged the highest — ₹160 for a single journey, ₹240 for a round trip, and ₹4,760 for a monthly pass. Several concessions have been announced by NHAI. Officials said that a 25% discount will be offered on return journeys completed within 24 hours, while a 33% discount applies if 50 single journeys are made in a month. Additionally, commercial vehicles registered in the district (except those under National Permit) will receive a 50% discount. The toll policy continues to enforce strict penalties on overloaded vehicles, which will be charged 10 times the regular toll rate along with being required to offload excess cargo. Type of vehicle Single Trip Round Trip Monthly Pass Car/Jeep ₹30 ₹45 ₹865 LCV/Mini Bus ₹50 ₹75 ₹1440 Bus/Truck ₹100 ₹150 ₹2955 Earthmoving equipment and heavy construction machinery ₹160 ₹240 ₹4760 Source: NHAI public notice Toll hike based on the Wholesale Price Index Beginning July 1, toll rates on other key stretches in the city, including the NICE Road and the Bengaluru Elevated Tollway from Central Silk Board to Electronics City and further towards Attibele, near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, have also been revised. The hike is based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as of March 31, 2025, which allows for annual adjustments to ensure the financial sustainability and proper upkeep of road infrastructure, according to officials. 'The recent toll revision is in line with the annual adjustment allowed under the National Highways Fee Rules, which are based on the WPI. The revision helps ensure continued maintenance and financial viability of road infrastructure,' said a senior official from NHAI. 'The WPI-based adjustment is calculated as of March 31, but the effective implementation can vary depending on the time taken for approvals and notifications. In some stretches, it happens on April 1, while in others like this year's Bengaluru-Nelamangala and Electronics City, it's taken effect from July 1,' the official explained. Remove tolls on smaller roads Meanwhile, Radhakrishna Holla, president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators Association, said the toll hike will place an added burden on daily commuters, particularly commercial operators such as taxis, lorries, and trucks. 'This increase in toll rates directly impacts daily commuters and hits the commercial transport sector the hardest. Taxi operators, truckers, and logistics providers are already dealing with high fuel prices; this will only add to their operational costs,' Mr. Holla added. Mr. Holla also urged the government to reconsider toll collection on shorter or less busy four-lane roads, especially where the construction costs have already been recovered. He pointed out that tolling on such stretches disproportionately affects local commuters and small operators. 'There is no justification for continuing toll collection on smaller stretches or four-lane roads where the project cost has already been recovered. The government must review and remove tolls on such roads to ease the burden. Rationalising tolls would be a step towards more equitable and efficient road usage,' Mr. Holla said. Commuters say toll rise adds to daily burden Daily commuters and small transport operators have voiced frustration over the latest toll hike saying it adds to their mounting travel and operational expenses. Shivakumar R., a supervisor in a garment factory who commutes daily from Nelamangala to Peenya said, 'We already spend a lot on fuel and essentials. Now with the toll hike, even daily travel to work becomes more expensive. For people like us who don't earn much, every rupee counts. This hike feels unfair, especially when there's no improvement in traffic or road conditions on the Bengaluru and Tumakuru stretch.' Manjunath Hegde, a small-scale transporter operating goods vehicles between Bengaluru and Tumakuru said, 'The toll keeps going up every year, but our income doesn't. We use this route regularly, and each increase directly cuts into our margins. The government should understand that not all users are big transporters, many of us are small operators trying to stay afloat.'
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Pay more toll for Bengaluru's Electronics City flyover from July 1
The latest hike is based on WPI as on March 31, 2025, and will remain in force until June 30, 2026, according to a public notice issued by BETPL.
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
How a ₹1000 SIP Can Help You Beat Inflation?
Have you ever heard the word 'inflation' often popping up in the news? Inflation is when the purchasing power of your money decreases as the prices of everything else keep rising. In such a scenario, it is important to keep growing your money and beat inflation. This is where a Systematic Investment Plan can be helpful. Investing just ₹ 1,000 a month in mutual funds can help you grow your money faster than inflation. Let's understand how this strategy can power your wealth journey. Think about anything you like and compare its price today with how much it was priced 5-10 years ago. A samosa used to cost around ₹ 5-10. Today, you get it for ₹ 20-25 or even more. That's inflation for you. India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.82% in May 2025, the lowest in over six years. Wholesale inflation (WPI) is also low, at 0.39% in May, easing pricing across the board. As inflation is under control, the central bank also decided to go ahead with rate cuts reflecting these low inflation levels, with the repo rate now at 5.50%. Lower rates mean banks earn less on deposits, pushing returns down. This makes SIPs in equity mutual funds even more appealing. Meanwhile, the policy stance is shifting to 'neutral,' suggesting fewer future cuts. Saving in a typical bank account or fixed deposit might only get you around 6-7% interest, which is barely above inflation. You want something that makes your money gain 8-12% annual returns. That's when we talk about SIPs. You don't need a ton of money to start making your money grow. Even a ₹ 1,000 SIP can beat inflation: Rupee Cost Averaging : When the stock market dips, your fixed investment buys more units; when markets rise, you buy fewer. Over time, this balances out and evens your returns. : When the stock market dips, your fixed investment buys more units; when markets rise, you buy fewer. Over time, this balances out and evens your returns. Power of Compounding : Your returns earn returns. Even small monthly SIPs grow exponentially over the years. : Your returns earn returns. Even small monthly SIPs grow exponentially over the years. Discipline: It builds a savings habit, automated, no guessing, no emotional investing. For example: Let's say you invest ₹ 1,000 monthly for 10 years at an assumed annual return of 12%. Using the formula FV = P × [((1 + r)^n – 1) / r] × (1 + r), you'll have around ₹ 2.24 lakh, even though the total invested is ₹ 1.2 lakh. This way, you would essentially beat the inflation while almost doubling your money. You don't even need to apply the formula; just use any SIP calculator available online to calculate how much return you'll be able to earn as per your SIP investment over a fixed period. To really beat inflation, you can also increase your SIP over time with a Step-Up SIP, where you increase your monthly SIP by a certain percentage every year. Experts suggest that doing this aligns your savings with rising costs and income. You can start with ₹ 1,000 in year 1, then ₹ 1,100 in year 2, ₹ 1,210 in year 3, and so on. The impact would be that in 10 years with a 10% top-up and 12% returns, your corpus could be around ₹ 3.26 lakh versus ₹ 2.24 lakh with a fixed SIP. After inflation adjustment, the step-up SIP towers over a regular SIP. To begin with, you need to look for the right funds, like index funds, equity funds, hybrid funds, etc., with consistent past returns and a low expense ratio. Once that is done, start your SIP. Most AMCs let you start with as low as ₹ 500, so ₹ 1,000 is easy to begin and keeps things manageable. Next, you can choose to opt for a step-up SIP. Many platforms let you auto-increase SIP yearly. If not, simply adjust manually when you want to. And that's it! Remember: Don't panic with market ups and downs. SIP absorbs volatility through rupee cost averaging. You can think about rebalancing your portfolio only if your goals or fund allocations change. Inflation is low now, but it won't stay low forever. With a ₹ 1,000 SIP, you're getting your foot in the door of market returns that beat inflation over time. With an SIP, you're giving your money a real chance to grow ahead of the cost of living.
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
How a ₹1000 SIP Can Help You Beat Inflation?
Have you ever heard the word 'inflation' often popping up in the news? Inflation is when the purchasing power of your money decreases as the prices of everything else keep rising. In such a scenario, it is important to keep growing your money and beat inflation. This is where a Systematic Investment Plan can be helpful. Investing just ₹ 1,000 a month in mutual funds can help you grow your money faster than inflation. Let's understand how this strategy can power your wealth journey. Think about anything you like and compare its price today with how much it was priced 5-10 years ago. A samosa used to cost around ₹ 5-10. Today, you get it for ₹ 20-25 or even more. That's inflation for you. India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.82% in May 2025, the lowest in over six years. Wholesale inflation (WPI) is also low, at 0.39% in May, easing pricing across the board. As inflation is under control, the central bank also decided to go ahead with rate cuts reflecting these low inflation levels, with the repo rate now at 5.50%. Lower rates mean banks earn less on deposits, pushing returns down. This makes SIPs in equity mutual funds even more appealing. Meanwhile, the policy stance is shifting to 'neutral,' suggesting fewer future cuts. Saving in a typical bank account or fixed deposit might only get you around 6-7% interest, which is barely above inflation. You want something that makes your money gain 8-12% annual returns. That's when we talk about SIPs. You don't need a ton of money to start making your money grow. Even a ₹ 1,000 SIP can beat inflation: Rupee Cost Averaging : When the stock market dips, your fixed investment buys more units; when markets rise, you buy fewer. Over time, this balances out and evens your returns. : When the stock market dips, your fixed investment buys more units; when markets rise, you buy fewer. Over time, this balances out and evens your returns. Power of Compounding : Your returns earn returns. Even small monthly SIPs grow exponentially over the years. : Your returns earn returns. Even small monthly SIPs grow exponentially over the years. Discipline: It builds a savings habit, automated, no guessing, no emotional investing. For example: Let's say you invest ₹ 1,000 monthly for 10 years at an assumed annual return of 12%. Using the formula FV = P × [((1 + r)^n – 1) / r] × (1 + r), you'll have around ₹ 2.24 lakh, even though the total invested is ₹ 1.2 lakh. This way, you would essentially beat the inflation while almost doubling your money. You don't even need to apply the formula; just use any SIP calculator available online to calculate how much return you'll be able to earn as per your SIP investment over a fixed period. To really beat inflation, you can also increase your SIP over time with a Step-Up SIP, where you increase your monthly SIP by a certain percentage every year. Experts suggest that doing this aligns your savings with rising costs and income. You can start with ₹ 1,000 in year 1, then ₹ 1,100 in year 2, ₹ 1,210 in year 3, and so on. The impact would be that in 10 years with a 10% top-up and 12% returns, your corpus could be around ₹ 3.26 lakh versus ₹ 2.24 lakh with a fixed SIP. After inflation adjustment, the step-up SIP towers over a regular SIP. To begin with, you need to look for the right funds, like index funds, equity funds, hybrid funds, etc., with consistent past returns and a low expense ratio. Once that is done, start your SIP. Most AMCs let you start with as low as ₹ 500, so ₹ 1,000 is easy to begin and keeps things manageable. Next, you can choose to opt for a step-up SIP. Many platforms let you auto-increase SIP yearly. If not, simply adjust manually when you want to. And that's it! Remember: Don't panic with market ups and downs. SIP absorbs volatility through rupee cost averaging. You can think about rebalancing your portfolio only if your goals or fund allocations change. Inflation is low now, but it won't stay low forever. With a ₹ 1,000 SIP, you're getting your foot in the door of market returns that beat inflation over time. With an SIP, you're giving your money a real chance to grow ahead of the cost of living. Start small, stay steady, and let compounding and smart investing do the heavy lifting. This discipline can seriously turbocharge your financial future. So go ahead, kick off that ₹ 1,000 SIP today and watch your money grow on your own terms. Happy investing!
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru commuters brace for toll hikes on elevated expressway starting July 2025: Report
Starting July 1, 2025, commuters on the Bengaluru Elevated Expressway, which runs from Central Silk Board to Electronics City and further toward Attibele near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, will need to pay higher tolls. The revised rates are based on inflation-linked adjustments using the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as of March 31, 2025, The News Minute reported. Bengaluru elevated expressway toll hike: At the Attibele toll plaza, charges apply only to four-wheelers and larger vehicles. (Parveen Kumar/ HT Photo)((Representative image)) The hike affects both the elevated portion (8.765 km to 18.750 km) and the ground-level stretch extending 33.130 km up to Attibele, the report stated. Under the new toll structure, cars, jeeps, and vans will now pay ₹ 65 for a one-way trip, ₹ 95 for a same-day return, and ₹ 1,885 for a monthly pass, according to the report. ALSO READ | BESCOM announces 7-hour power outage across Bengaluru on Sunday. Check areas list: Report Two-wheelers, allowed only on certain stretches, will be charged ₹ 25 per single trip. Buses and trucks face a sharper hike, with charges of ₹ 175 for a single journey and ₹ 5,275 for a monthly pass. Multi-axle vehicles (MAVs) must pay ₹ 350 per trip and ₹ 10,550 monthly. At the Attibele toll plaza, located at the 32.7 km mark, charges apply only to four-wheelers and larger vehicles. Cars will be billed ₹ 40 per trip and ₹ 1,130 monthly. MAVs will need to pay ₹ 265 per trip and ₹ 7,915 for a monthly pass. Meanwhile, two-wheelers continue to be exempt at this toll point. ALSO READ | Bengaluru to get new stadium with 60,000 seating capacity, says DK Shivakumar. More details These revised tolls have been released by Bangalore Elevated Tollway Pvt Ltd (BETPL), the agency overseeing the operation and upkeep of this section of National Highway 44 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the report added.
