Toll rates on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway hiked within two weeks; new rates from April 1
Bengaluru: The toll rates for the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, the collection of which was started on March 14, are hiked within a fortnight and the new rates will come into effect from April 1.
The Expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12 and the toll collection started two days later.
The new rates of the Road Transport Ministry indicate a 22 per cent hike barely a fortnight since the opening of the Expressway.
The one-way rate, fixed at Rs 135 for cars, jeeps and vans, will be increased to Rs 165, while the two-way rate will be raised from Rs 205 to Rs 250.
Light vehicles and minibuses, which had to pay Rs 220 for one-way travel, will now have to pay Rs 270; the two-way rate, will be Rs 405, which is a hike of Rs 75.
There is a Rs-105 hike in the one-way rate for trucks, buses and double axle vehicles, which will now have to pay Rs 565. The two-way toll rate for such vehicles is now Rs 850 – a hike of Rs 160.
The toll for three-axle commercial transport vehicles for one-way travel on the Expressway has been hiked by Rs 115, to Rs 615. For two-way travel, the vehicles will have to pay Rs 925, which is a hike of Rs 225.
For heavy vehicles, the one-way toll has been hiked by Rs 165 to Rs 885, while for two-way, the rate is hiked by Rs 200 to Rs 1,080.
For vehicles with seven or more axles, the one-way toll is raised by Rs 200 to Rs 1,080. The two-way rate is now Rs 1,620, which is a hike of Rs 305.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Gujarat government to ban mobile phone in schools to counter negative effects of social media
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government will come up with new regulations aimed at reducing the influence of smartphones and social media on children.
A meeting on the issue was chaired by state Education Minister Praful Panseriya with senior officials on Thursday, during which he highlighted the adverse effects of excessive social media use on children. He emphasised that new rules would be implemented to reduce mobile phone usage and encourage greater focus on sports.
“Teachers will be banned from using mobile phones in the classroom, and strict measures will be taken to ensure that primary school children do not come to school with mobile phones,” the statement read under the new rules.
Panseriya said that their aim is to keep the kids away from the devices and bring them to playgrounds and study tables.
The minister further stated that a circular outlining these changes would be issued for children, parents, and teachers. The initiative will be developed in consultation with Children’s University, Teacher's University, and practicing psychiatrists.
Additionally, teachers will be encouraged to engage students in productive activities such as reading and sports instead of allowing smartphone use for social media. Parents will also be urged to limit their own social media use in front of children and and ensure the latter are not using smartphones.
The minister expressed hope that other states will follow Gujarat's lead and adopt similar measures.
