The Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway was the talk of the town when it was inaugurated in March 2023. This modern expressway has become a favorite among people for offering a seamless and enjoyable travel experience from the bustling city of Bengaluru to Mysuru.
Recently, the expressway has been in the headlines for unfortunate reasons. Just five months after its inauguration, the 119-kilometer-long expressway has witnessed over 500 accidents, resulting in approximately 100 fatalities.
The significant rise in the number of accidents has forced the National Highways Authority of India to investigate the safety of the expressway that links the capital city and the cultural city of the state.
The NHAI has deployed a team of experts to assess the safety measures on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway. This panel will personally visit all the identified sites to evaluate the situation on the ground level.
“National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has constituted a committee of Road Safety Experts to carry out safety inspections of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Access Controlled Highway to ensure that the corridor continues to serve the people of Karnataka by promoting safe travel,” – said the agency.
The experts are expected to complete their study on the matter by today, July 20, and submit a detailed report to the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) in a span of 10 days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway in March this year. The 119-km long expressway was constructed with a total expenditure of approximately ₹8,480 crore.
The expressway is divided into two sections; The first connects Bengaluru with Nidaghatta, and the second connects Nidaghatta with Mysuru. The roads have been designed to easily achieve a speed of 110 to 120km/h.
The officially permitted speed limit on the expressway is 100km/h. The expressway has significantly helped reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru to roughly 75 minutes, less than half the time it usually takes.
As per reports, since its inauguration, the Bengaluru – Mysuru expressway has witnessed approximately 570 accidents, resulting in the loss of over 100 lives and leaving more than 350 others injured.
The state government says that the Nidaghatta-Mysuru section is more prone to accidents than the others. Overspeeding is the root cause of this increase in the number of accidents. However, it is to be noted that the expressway also needs proper road signs and illumination.
With over 100 lives lost and numerous others injured in just a short period, it is evident that there are significant safety issues that need to be addressed urgently. Implementing effective safety measures, regular maintenance, and stricter traffic rules can make a difference in preventing accidents.
We also have to remember that it is our responsibility to exercise caution and follow traffic regulations to contribute to the safety of ourselves and others while driving through roads.
