Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Karnataka High Court Orders Free Toll Passes For Locals
The Karnataka High Court has ruled that the toll plaza at Somanahalli on National Highway 209 is illegal because it is too close to the city limits.
The court said this is unfair to local people who have to pay tolls every day just to go about their normal activities like going to work or school.
The court has ordered that local residents should get free passes so they don't have to pay tolls.
The government and the company that runs the toll plaza have 30 days to give out these free passes.
If they don't, the toll plaza will have to be moved or closed.
The court also said that offering discounted passes is not good enough because the rules are not being followed properly.
Karnataka High Court ruled that toll collection at Somanahalli toll plaza is illegal as it violates National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.
The court ordered free local resident passes with zero user fee for eligible residents of surrounding villages.
The NHAI and the toll concessionaire have 30 days to issue these passes or face the closure of the toll plaza.
The court rejected the government's proposal of discounted monthly passes, stating that statutory requirements must be strictly adhered to.
Residents of Somanahalli, Nelaguli, and Kaggalipura villages have been affected by the toll plaza's location within municipal limits.
- Who
- Residents of Somanahalli, Nelaguli, and Kaggalipura villages
- What
- Karnataka High Court ordered free toll passes for local residents
- When
- Order delivered in late January 2026
- Where
- Somanahalli toll plaza on National Highway 209, Karnataka
- Why
- Toll plaza violates National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, by being within municipal limits and lacking safeguards for local commuters
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Toll Plaza
- Somanahalli toll plaza on National Highway 209
- Affected Villages
- Somanahalli, Nelaguli, and Kaggalipura
- Issue
- Toll collection within municipal limits
- Court's Directive
- Free local resident passes with zero user fee
- Deadline for Compliance
- 30 days
- Consequence of Non-Compliance
- Stop toll collection or relocate the plaza
- Government's Proposal
- Discounted monthly passes for Rs 340