Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Kumaraswamy Asks Karnataka Government to Take Over NICE, Stop Tolls
There is a very big road project in Karnataka, a state in India.
It is called the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor and it connects two big cities.
A company called NICE was in charge of building the roads and collecting money from people who drive on them.
A very important court called the High Court said the project looks like one of the biggest scams, or money tricks, in the state.
Mr. Kumaraswamy, an important minister in the national government, thinks the company broke its promises.
He wants the state government to take the project away from the company.
He also wants the state to stop collecting money from drivers and told people not to pay the toll.
The state government has two weeks to decide, or his party will protest.
A long time ago, in 2006, he tried to stop the project but did not get enough help.
The state's Home Minister, Mr. Kharge, asked why some leaders complain about small price increases but stay quiet about other toll roads.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy gave the Karnataka government a two-week deadline to halt toll collection on the NICE Road and demanded immediate takeover of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC).
He cited the Karnataka High Court's observation that the project 'appears to be one of the biggest scams in the State,' with calls for an independent expert investigation and forensic audit.
Kumaraswamy alleged NICE violated the Framework Agreement, collected tolls illegally, and acquired land beyond the project's original scope, also questioning a no-objection certificate issued to Shobha Developers.
He referenced the House Committee headed by Congress MLA T.B. Jayachandra, which recommended takeover, a CBI investigation, and the return of acquired lands to land losers.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge hit back, asking why BJP leaders had not protested national toll hikes; Kumaraswamy urged people not to pay toll and warned of a JD(S) protest.
- Who
- H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel and JD(S) leader, made the demand; Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge responded; the company NICE holds the project.
- What
- A demand that the Karnataka government immediately take over the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project from NICE and halt toll collection on the NICE Road.
- When
- Kumaraswamy made his demand on a Saturday; reports were published on August 9, 2026, giving the state two weeks to stop toll collection.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, concerning the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC).
- Why
- Because NICE allegedly violated the Framework Agreement and collected tolls illegally, and the Karnataka High Court observed the project 'appears to be one of the biggest scams in the State.'
Kumaraswamy and JD(S)
State Government Response
Takeover of the NICE project
Kumaraswamy and JD(S)
The state should immediately take over the BMIC project because NICE violated the Framework Agreement and is 'looting people.'
State Government Response
Home Minister Priyank Kharge questioned why BJP leaders protest small Bengaluru Metro fare hikes but stay silent on national highway toll increases, implying the criticism is politically selective.
Toll collection
Kumaraswamy and JD(S)
Toll is being collected illegally, and Kumaraswamy urged people not to pay toll on the NICE Road.
State Government Response
The state government has not directly addressed the toll allegation; Kharge framed tolls as a broader national issue rather than a NICE-specific problem.
Way forward
Kumaraswamy and JD(S)
The state has two weeks to stop toll collection or JD(S) will launch an 'intense' agitation; Kumaraswamy said he would write to the state and wait a week for a response.
State Government Response
Kharge's counter-questioning suggests the government sees the demand as politically motivated and has not committed to a takeover.
- Key Figure
- H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel and JD(S) leader
- Project
- Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), also known as the NICE Road
- Company
- Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE)
- High Court Observation
- 'Appears to be one of the biggest scams in the State'; independent expert investigation and forensic audit suggested
- Deadline
- Two weeks for the state to stop toll collection (one report); Kumaraswamy also said he would write and wait a week for a response (another report)
- House Committee
- Headed by Congress MLA T.B. Jayachandra; recommended takeover, CBI investigation, and return of lands to land losers
- State Government Response
- Home Minister Priyank Kharge questioned why BJP leaders had not protested national highway toll hikes
- Possible Consequences
- People urged not to pay toll; JD(S) warned of an 'intense' protest if the state fails to act
