Motorists travelling on the Bengaluru-Tumakuru highway have been hit hard as toll charges on the Nelamangala toll plaza have been increased from September 1. The new rates are effective from midnight on the new day and have been imposed on commuters, commercial vehicle operators and long-distance travellers in Bengaluru.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised the toll fee structure for the 2026-27 financial year as part of the annual toll tariff revision. The new charges will replace the rates that were applicable from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.
Depending on vehicle class, the one-way toll charges have increased from Rs 5 to Rs 165, and the new return or daily travel charges are up by around Rs 15 to Rs 245.
New Nelamangala Toll Rates
The revised toll rates affect cars, jeeps, vans, light commercial vehicles, buses and trucks. The sharpest increase is for vehicles with seven or more axles.
| Vehicle Category | One-Way Old | One-Way New | Hike | Daily/Return Old | Daily/Return New | Hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car / Jeep / Van | Rs 60 | Rs 65 | Rs 5 | Rs 85 | Rs 100 | Rs 15 |
| Light Vehicle | Rs 100 | Rs 130 | Rs 30 | Rs 155 | Rs 195 | Rs 40 |
| 2-Axle Bus / Truck | Rs 205 | Rs 260 | Rs 55 | Rs 305 | Rs 390 | Rs 85 |
| 3-Axle Bus / Truck | Rs 325 | Rs 400 | Rs 75 | Rs 490 | Rs 600 | Rs 110 |
| 4–6 Axle Bus / Truck | Rs 325 | Rs 400 | Rs 75 | Rs 490 | Rs 600 | Rs 110 |
| 7 or More Axles | Rs 325 | Rs 490 | Rs 165 | Rs 490 | Rs 735 | Rs 245 |
.
Car And Small Vehicle Users
The increase for private vehicle owners is small, but will be an increase in travel expenses for frequent highway users.
The toll for a car, jeep or van has increased from Rs 60 to Rs 65 for a one-way journey. The daily or return travel charge has moved from Rs 85 to Rs 100.
For light vehicles, the one-way toll has increased from Rs 100 to Rs 130 while the daily travel charge has risen from Rs 155 to Rs 195.
For Bengaluru-Tumakuru commuters who often travel this way, those extra charges will translate into additional travel costs each month.
Higher Impact on Buses And Trucks
Commercial vehicle operators will most likely feel the impact of the changed rates.
The one-way toll for a 2-axle bus or truck has increased from Rs 205 to Rs 260, which is a Rs 55 hike. The daily or return charge has increased by Rs 85 from Rs 305 to Rs 390.
For 3-axle buses and trucks, the one-way charge has increased from Rs 325 to Rs 400, while the daily charge has gone up from Rs 490 to Rs 600.
The same revised rates apply to 4-6 axle buses and trucks, with the one-way toll increasing by Rs 75 and the daily charge rising by Rs 110.
Steepest Hike for Heavy Vehicles
Vehicles with seven or more axles have experienced the biggest increase under the new toll structure.
The one-way toll for these heavy vehicles has increased from Rs 325 to Rs 490, an increase of Rs 165. The daily or return charge has increased from Rs 490 to Rs 735, a Rs 245 increase.
The higher charges are particularly important for logistics operators and freight transporters who use the Bengaluru-Tumakuru corridor regularly.
Why has the Nelamangala Toll Rate increased?
The main reason for the latest increase is the annual revision of toll charges by NHAI.
Toll rates are revised according to the contractual terms and inflation-related costs, such as the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). National Highway maintenance and repair costs also account for the tariff revision.
Highway authorities spend a lot of money on road maintenance, infrastructure maintenance, toll operations, and other services. The tariff revision is expected to be done every year to deal with the changes in these costs and the contractual arrangements.
Additional Burden On Bengaluru–Tumakuru Travellers
The Nelamangala toll plaza is a key point on the Bengaluru-Tumakuru corridor, which is used by commuters, buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles.
The new toll structure means regular highway users will have to factor the increased charges into their travel budgets starting from September 1. Transport companies and freight operators could feel more of the impact because toll payments are made over and over again through multiple trips.
The new tariffs will be applicable from September 1, 2026, and will be applicable to the new annual tariff structure.
Drivers travelling through the Nelamangala toll plaza should check the vehicle category and the revised fee before starting their journey, particularly if they use the route frequently.
