'DK Shivakumar Politicised National Highway Issue': CM Bommai On Bengaluru-Mysuru Toll Collection

Earlier, Karnataka Cong president DK Shivakumar slammed the government for inaugurating an incomplete project and warned that his party won't allow the BJP government to inaugurate the expressway.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said that Congress president DK Shivakumar politicised the national highway issue. 

On toll collection for Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said, “Congress president (DK Shivakumar) has politicised the national highway issue. The language used by him has not been appreciated by the Kannadigas. Everything is being done as per the law.” 

Congress president (DK Shivakumar) has politicised the national highway issue. The language used by him has not been appreciated by the Kannadigas. Everything is being done as per the law: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on toll collection on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway pic.twitter.com/Dyve8vVLLw

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2023

“We have decided to increase by 15% the wages of employees of the Transport Department. We will issue an order in this regard today,” he said. 

Two days ago, the National Highways Authority of India announced a toll fee for commuters of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway. The commuters were told to pay toll fees for using the first stretch of Bengaluru to Nidaghatta expressway in Mandya district.

The Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on Sunday.

However, several agitators started to stage a protest on Tuesday and were detained after they threatened to destroy the toll plaza on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway as the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) began toll collection.

The Congress also joined the protesters, who are demanding the building of service roads.

Earlier, Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar slammed the government for inaugurating an incomplete project and warned that his party won't allow the BJP government to inaugurate the expressway.

The 10-lane expressway has been projected as one of the biggest contributions of the double engine government. All major political parties in the state are engaged in a war of words for claiming the credit. The express was built at a cost of Rs 8,479 crore.

(With PTI inputs)