Mandya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway on March 12, 2023. However, since its opening, the highway has been marred by safety concerns and slow progress. The incomplete service roads along the highway have become a matter of grave concern for both commuters and elected representatives.
The service roads on either side of the highway lack essential infrastructure such as streetlights, metal crash guards, convex mirrors, and traffic signages. The absence of these safety measures has led to multiple accidents, some of which have resulted in fatalities. Recently, a delivery boy lost his life after being hit by a speeding SUV and falling into a ditch near Hosa Boodanur in Mandya. Had there been metal crash guards, his life could have been saved.
Moreover, the absence of streetlights on the service roads has made traveling on them extremely challenging, especially during the night. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has only installed streetlights at the main junctions, leaving the rest of the service roads in darkness.
Elected representatives from Mandya have been urging the NHAI and the district administration to complete the construction of the service roads for the past six months. Mandya MLA Ravikumar expressed disappointment with the NHAI’s lack of response and its failure to construct underpasses and implement necessary safety measures, despite being instructed by Siddaramaiah, the state government’s leader.
Meanwhile, the construction of drains along the highway is progressing slowly, causing further delays in the project. NHAI Project Director Rahul Gupta assured that the drain works would be completed by the end of March 2024. Additionally, the NHAI has submitted a detailed project report for additional works on the highway, which is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Mandya Police have been actively engaging with the NHAI officials to address safety concerns. They have requested the installation of speed breakers, streetlights, and signages on the service roads to prevent accidents and robberies. Mandya SP N Yathish emphasized their continuous efforts to collaborate with the NHAI on these matters.
However, while the NHAI works to complete the service roads, miscreants have taken advantage of the situation. Metal barricades along some portions of the highway have mysteriously vanished, and the solar panels installed on the SOS boxes, especially in the Mandya region, have gone missing. These incidents have rendered the systems ineffective. NHAI Project Director Rahul Gupta promised to investigate the matter and take necessary action.
The incomplete service roads along the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway in Mandya have raised safety concerns among commuters and elected representatives alike. With accidents and criminal activities on the rise, urgent attention is required to complete the service roads and implement necessary safety measures. The NHAI and the district administration must prioritize these issues to ensure a safer travel experience for all.
