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The most talked about and high-profile infrastructure project in the state in recent times, the Bengaluru-Mysore Expressway continues to be in the news even after it was opened to the public.
Last year, the expressway hit national headlines when underpasses were flooded due to unprecedented rains in Ramanagara, and in the past few days, the project has been in the news after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) started charging toll for vehicles using it. It will run between Bengaluru and Nidaghatta from March 14.
Apart from bickering between political parties over who gets credit for the project, there is much debate over who will benefit from the expressway and who will not, and whether the toll charged is justified.
Work on the 117 km project has been undertaken in two phases: Bangalore to Nidaghatta (56.2 km) and Nidaghatta to Mysore (61.04 km). It is a six-lane main carriageway and two lanes of service roads on either side. Construction began in May 2019 and was originally slated for a June 2022 deadline. When sanctioned, the project is estimated to cost ₹7,836 crore. However, as per the revised estimate, this has increased to ₹8,478 crore (inclusive of land acquisition cost).
One of the underpasses connecting the service roads on both sides of the highway. | Photo credit: K. Bhagya Prakash
The time factor
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has stated on several occasions that after the expressway is opened, the travel time between Bengaluru and Mysore will come down from three hours to 75 minutes. Until now, motorists were dependent on the 4-lane highway. However, due to traffic density and towns between cities, the travel time is more than three hours.
The expressway bypasses towns like Bidadi, Ramangara, Channapatna, Maddur, Mandya and Srirangapatnam. The total length of the bypasses is 51 km. Other prominent features include an 8 km elevated corridor, 10 major bridges, 43 minor bridges and four road-over-rail bridges. NHAI said the expressway will help people reach tourist destinations like Ooty, Wayanad, Madikeri, Bandipur and Srirangapanta in the fastest possible way.
Raghunath M., a frequent commuter from Bengaluru to Madikeri, says, “Driving on the old highway is a nightmarish experience. This caused many traffic problems. The new road has greatly reduced the travel time. Motorists do not mind paying toll for good infrastructure. Even my friends who use the expressway say it’s a big relief.
Although the expressway is a boon, reaching it is still a challenge. From Bangalore side, it starts from Panchmukhi Temple. Due to traffic congestion, motorists spend more time on city roads before reaching the expressway. On the way back, the traffic from Kumbhalgod towards Kengeri was alarming.
Aerial view of Bangalore-Mysore Expressway. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
Questions on toll collection
After opening the main carriageway between Bengaluru and Nidaghatta, the NHAI had initially considered collecting the toll from February 28. However, opposition to its levy forced the NHAI to adjourn till March 14 before the service roads were completed. People living in Bidadi say the toll in Ramangara and other areas is high and daily commuters are unable to afford it. They demanded the speedy completion of the service road works.
Bidadi resident Chandrasekhara R. He said, “It is wrong for NHAI to collect toll without completing service roads. The government is burdening the people. People who depend on commercial vehicles for livelihood will also suffer.
After the start of toll collection, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) increased the ticket fare from ₹15 to ₹20 to pass the burden on commuters.
Except for a 100-meter service road near Christ University, project director BT Sridhara maintains that service roads are ready in the remaining areas. “Near Christ University, construction activities have been delayed due to Karnataka High Court stay. The court has now vacated the stay and work has resumed. It will be completed soon. “
On allegations that NHAI is charging heavy tolls from commuters traveling to Bengaluru from places like Bidadi, the official said, “They can avail the notified concessional toll. Those who don’t want to use the main carriageway can use the service road.
In some areas railway tracks have come in the way of service roads. For example, near Nidaghatta, NHAI has not constructed a service road on the railway track. Service road users have to take a U-turn and come down the village road to reach the other end of the service road. When asked not to construct service roads above the railway track, the official said, “There is no provision under the rules to construct service roads above the railway track in this area. Who will pay the toll if we provide a service road along the expressway?
Demand for facilities
Motorists and villagers are also demanding NHAI safety measures and provision of roadside facilities. Lack of facilities such as signage, skywalks across the road and emergency medical facilities are a cause for concern. There are reports of over 300 road accidents and 80 deaths on the expressway in the last six months.
Krishna G., who travels between Bangalore and Mysore frequently, says, “They have not completed the project. There are no washrooms or ambulances anywhere. Even the night patrol staff is not visible.
Ramanagara District Superintendent of Police Karthik Reddy said, “As a safety measure, motorists using the expressway should adhere to the speed limit and follow lane discipline. For the safety of pedestrians, we have asked NHAI to construct foot overbridges at many places like Babusupalaya and Christ University.
Project Director Shri Sridhara said that proper facilities including cafeterias will be made available. “We are acquiring 30 acres of land to provide rest areas and other areas. Regular patrolling of the expressway is done daily and ambulances are provided. Near the toll plaza, motorists can use toilets.
Officials said that the pending works after Nidaghatta are also likely to be completed by the end of the month or within 30 days. The project director said that the underpass work near Induvalu will be completed soon. Based on villagers’ demands, NHAI is constructing additional underpasses in some areas. Once the entire main carriageway is opened, there will be an upward revision in the toll.
Bangalore Mysore Expressway is under construction. | Photo credit: K. Bhagya Prakash
Credit war between political parties
As the assembly polls approach, three major political parties are claiming credit for the project after the inauguration date is fixed.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that it was during the Congress regime that the state highway was converted into a national highway. He stated that the state government had approved the conversion of this road into a 10-lane road on the recommendation of the Congress government during the tenure of Oscar Fernandes as the Minister of Road Transport and Highways in the UPA government.
Mysore BJP MP Pratapsinha spoke out at every stage of the project. More than NHAI officials, he has been sharing updates on phased opening of the expressway, status of under-construction stretches and postponement of toll collection. Expressway scenes shared by the MP have gone viral on social media on several occasions. An MP recently praised the Narendra Modi government for taking all the major decisions and implementing the project.
Amid the row, JD(S) leader and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said the project was started using funds provided by the state government and subsequent governments supported it, be it land acquisition hurdles or clearance from the forest department. During his tenure as Chief Minister, nine meetings were held to speed up the work of the project.
(with inputs from Jahnavi TR)
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