NHAI to address service road gaps on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway

The National Highways Authority of India has decided to construct railway overbridges (ROBs) where train tracks intersect service roads on the Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway. According to NHAI officials, this will eliminate the need for long diversions to nearby cities, providing seamless travel experience to motorists and residents.

Since the opening of the highway in March 2023, the existing potholes on the service road have been a source of frustration for commuters. “The new ROBs will allow travel parallel to the main highway without deviation, providing direct access between Bengaluru and Mysuru,” an NHAI official said.

NHAI officials said that along with the work of ROB, work on the incomplete section of the service route will also be done to address the long-standing grievances. Lack of continuous service roads has been a constant problem, with motorists and residents of neighboring villages voicing their concerns.

Praveen Kumar, a regular commuter on the highway from Bengaluru, said, “These disruptions have become a big problem for everyone. It is good that NHAI is finally addressing this issue. At Maddur and Ramanagara, we faced incomplete service roads, which confused us earlier.

“The RoB will enhance connectivity and reduce congestion, which will benefit long-distance commuters and local residents. The construction work will start soon and a tender has been issued for the same, said the official.

More toll plazas

Recently, NHAI is considering setting up more toll plazas on highways to accommodate motorists traveling between intermediate cities.

NHAI has proposed further enhancement of highway infrastructure at an estimated cost of ₹ 711 crore. Discussing the plan, Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said, “The introduction of new toll plazas will enable motorists to pay toll proportional to the distance they travel between intermediate points, making it more convenient for short-distance users.”

Under NHAI rules, toll plazas should ideally be 60 km apart. For short segments of travel, tolls will be calculated based on the exact distance covered, ensuring a fair price for all road users.