Tourists, locals fume over toll hike on bridge across Cauvery river

₹200 being charged to cross 500-metre bridge at the KRS dam

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Mandya

TOURISTS planning a visit to Brindavan Gardens near the KRS dam in Srirangapatna taluk may now have second thoughts, as the toll fee to access the popular destination has doubled. The Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) has increased the toll from ₹100 to ₹200 for vehicles crossing the bridge built over the Cauvery river that leads to the gardens.

Brindavan Gardens attracts hundreds of tourists, including international visitors, every year. The 500-metre bridge, constructed in 2003-04 at the cost of ₹7 crore was meant to connect Brindavan Gardens with nearby villages.

Initially, a contractor was authorised to collect ₹50 from four-wheelers and ₹100 from six-wheelers to recover the construction cost. However, locals now allege that the amount collected over the years has far exceeded the original investment.