Stop Collecting Toll Fees On Bengaluru-Chennai Highway: Netizens Demand Gadkari Over Poor Road Condition

Netizens in Tamil Nadu are venting out their frustration over the deteriorating condition of the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH-48), demanding that the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, roll back the toll fees until the road is properly repaired. The growing discontent follows a letter from DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, who also urged the authorities to stop collecting tolls on the highway until the road conditions are addressed.

In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Maran expressed his frustration, stating, "Have written to the Hon'ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Thiru.@nitin_gadkari, highlighting the pathetic condition of the Chennai - Bengaluru Highway once again. We've raised this issue many times but there's simply no progress. The road is patchy, unsafe, and hindering the growth of a vital industrial corridor. And on top of that, @NHAI_Official collects a hefty toll for a nonexistent service. Either fix the road or stop collecting toll until you fix it."

The highway, which provides crucial connectivity from Chennai to major industrial hubs like Kancheepuram, Vellore, Ranipet, Hosur, and Krishnagiri, has been criticized for its poor maintenance despite being an essential route for transporting goods and services. Netizens have taken to social media to support Maran's call, with many echoing his concerns.

One frustrated user shared, "Why should we pay tolls when the roads are filled with potholes, bumpy patches, diversions, and single-lane stretches? @NHAI_Official needs to either fix this or stop collecting tolls." Another commented on the abysmal travel times, stating, "It took me more than 8.5 hours to drive from Bangalore to Chennai. The road is in such an unsafe condition, and on top of that, we are charged toll for it."

Several users reflected on their long-term experiences with the highway, with one remarking, "I've been driving on this road for 15 years, and it's one of the worst government works. We pay tolls and still deal with these terrible roads." Another user recalled a similar situation in the past, saying, "If my memory serves me right, even the Madras High Court had once stopped NHAI from collecting tolls until a stretch had been relaid. Maybe they should do the same again, but this time all the way till Ambur."

The inefficiency in road construction was also highlighted by another frustrated netizen who noted, "This road work started in 2020, and after five years, only 100 kilometers from Chennai to Ranipet has been completed. At this pace, the Chennai Airport will be ready before the road is done."

Amid widespread criticism, many are urging Gadkari and other officials to visit the highway and witness its condition firsthand. One user tweeted, "Chennai-Sriperumbudur-Kanchi-Ranipet is a massive industrial corridor, but there hasn't been any proper road laying for at least seven years. @nitin_gadkari and @PMOIndia need to visit to see how bad it is."

As complaints pour in, the growing frustration with the highway's condition highlights not only the poor state of the infrastructure but also the importance of NH-48 in connecting Chennai's ports to its key industrial clusters. The lack of progress has left many questioning why they continue to pay tolls for a road that has become a symbol of neglect.