[am1m]

Originally Posted by GeneralJazz

Perhaps a new city, but then which politician would like to see their investments go down in the current cities?

Spot on. Efforts to divert the population away from Bangalore to even other cities within Karnataka like Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli haven't worked. Unlikely any new "planned" city will ever work either. Look at what is happening with Amaravati, the proposed new planned capital of AP.

The fact is there are too many things at stake with existing cities. Politicians usually have massive stakes in infra projects and land banks in all our cities. It's in their best interests to have massive concentrations of people in a small area. Who in their right minds will pay what the land rates are in our cities otherwise? With absolutely no civic facilities or quality of life?!

Also for the vast majority of people, life in a city is better than what they have left behind to get there. The members on this forum are much better off, so we can think in terms of a better quality of life, less traffic, etc. But even if some few of us decide to leave cities for a better quality of life, the number pouring in to cities like Bangalore and Mumbai to make a life is far, far more.

[FrozeninTime]

A government which uses taxes as a tool to solve an issue is nothing but incompetent.

All these types of wild ideas originate from EU states or Singapore which our government officials blindly copy instead of focusing on local solutions.

IIT madras has an excellent traffic engineering departments whose expertise if sought can do wonders of traffic congestion.

[condor]

So media reports say that Fastag will be used to collect this tax on a per-use basis, with toll-booths being setup for this purpose.

Old airport road
Old Madras road
Hosur road
Ballary Road
Bannerghatta Road
Kanakapura Road
Tumkur Road
Magadi Road
Chord Road
Outer Ring Road
Sarjapur Road

So if one wants to cross these roads - will they also pay ?

Just these toll-booths will be enough to choke entry into the city.

And if the above list is correct - it's pretty much covering all the major roads in the city which help access any other area in the city.

[GrammarNazi]

Originally Posted by FrozeninTime

...IIT madras has an excellent traffic engineering departments whose expertise if sought can do wonders of traffic congestion.

They'll find "experts" who will create a justification of whatever they want as if it were the optimal solution.

Originally Posted by condor

So media reports say that Fastag will be used to collect this tax on a per-use basis...

And if the above list is correct - it's pretty much covering all the major roads in the city which help access any other area in the city

What about people like me who stay between these roads!

People who live in Indiranagar & Koramangala will be taxed for even stepping out driving around their locality!

So if one wants to cross these roads - will they also pay?

That's what should be the point. People coming to from far away, should be provided with viable public transport & encouraged to use it. If they decide to travel by car despite those options, then the congestion tax is justifiable.

The Traffic Police should first conduct a public outreach program that educates people to take a longer alternative route instead of coming through the center of the city.

Just these toll-booths will be enough to choke entry into the city...

Cars that come from outside is one aspect, but taxing people staying within these localities will just burden them & create anguish, unless any exemptions are clarified well in advance in the news as well as people being made used to it on ground.

[inwester]

Voted YES.

Implemented properly Congestion Pricing is without a doubt a good initiative to ease traffic congestion. Other benefits include less air & noise pollution, fewer traffic accidents, decreased environmental and urban deterioration etc.

However, in India most of the initiatives that are "physical infrastructure" related haven't really worked historically. We are just poor in that aspect, although we've had some good success stories in the "digital infrastructure" space.

Another huge issue in India will be the social inequality problem. A country like India where there is much disparity in wealth will find massive public opposition and outcry against schemes like this.

All said and done, I wish more large cities adopted it, but I'm skeptical of the Indian implementation.

[airbus]

Voted for - Is a harebrained idea that's surely slated for a stillbirth.

With public transport and infrastructure of a third world country, planning for something implemented in developed countries sounds like a disconnect from reality.

Karnataka is having one of the highest road taxes in the country. That is not deterring people from buying new vehicles. They can't keep congestion tax very high because roads are used by non-IT folks too. ₹100 - ₹200 per day may not be a big deal for many IT folks and some will be compensated too. With general election early next year, I am not sure congestion tax is going to be implemented anytime soon.

How many of us reduce driving if fuel prices go beyond a particular limit?

[speedmiester]

The list of roads under congestion tax covers all major roads. The govt should first implement mass public transport systems first before undertaking such stupid ideas.
This is nothing but a farce and failure of the authorities in managing traffic.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by condor

Just these toll-booths will be enough to choke entry into the city.

Not to mention the jams that will be caused on narrow inside roads because more people will start using them to avoid the toll on the main roads!

Great times ahead!

[IamNikhil]

Unless the government concentrates and shows the will to provide better infrastructure and seamless public transport, any move to further burden an already over-burdened populace will only cause more pain and agony.

As evidenced several times, it's the middle class which ultimately gets sandwiched, while the VIPs and the lower economic strata will still continue to enjoy exemptions at their respective levels.