Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway: New Service Road And Satellite-Based Toll System Soon

To alleviate the challenges faced by travellers on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to construct a comprehensive service road along one side of the highway. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity for towns along the route and provide smoother access for vehicles entering or exiting the expressway.

The 119-kilometer expressway was designed to reduce travel time and improve traffic flow between Bengaluru and Mysuru. However, the absence of a complete service road, compounded by obstacles like railway lines, has created difficulties for commuters. Currently, vehicles must take long detours to access the highway from towns such as Bidadi, Channapatna, and Maddur, or to exit the highway and reach these areas.

Under the new plan, a full-scale service road will be built on the Bengaluru-to-Mysuru side of the expressway. This will eliminate the need for lengthy detours, offering a dedicated route for better access. Surveys have already been conducted to identify locations for additional infrastructure, such as underpasses and overpasses, to address obstacles like railway lines and hilly terrain.

NHAI officials have confirmed that tenders for these developments have already been issued, and construction will begin once the tendering process is completed.

In addition to the service road, NHAI is implementing a satellite-based toll collection system to reduce congestion at toll plazas along the expressway. The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) will be installed at two toll collection points, enabling vehicles to pay tolls seamlessly without having to stop.

The Indian Highways Management Corporation Limited (IHMCL), a subsidiary of NHAI, is overseeing the installation of the GNSS system. The necessary surveys and studies have been completed, and the tendering process will begin shortly. Once operational, the system is expected to significantly reduce delays caused by traditional toll booths.

NHAI Regional Officer Vilas P. Brahmankar emphasized that the expressway is an access-controlled highway, and the lack of a complete service road has been a long-standing issue for travellers trying to reach nearby towns. The new developments, including underpasses, overpasses, and the service road, are expected to effectively address these concerns.