MP urges NHAI to complete agreed work on Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway

During the District Development Co-ordination and Monitoring Committees meeting, also known as the DISHA meeting in Mandya on July 15, concerns were raised about the significant number of road accidents reported on the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway. Sumalatha Ambarish, MP, urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to fulfil all the promised obligations regarding the expressway.Sumalatha emphasised that the NHAI, which had already commenced toll collection from motorists using the expressway, had a responsibility to complete all the agreed-upon work outlined in the project's initial agreement.The NHAI had previously been notified that the median's quality needed improvement, additional streetlights should be installed, and signage for motorists' convenience should be placed at strategic locations along the expressway. Sumalatha also expressed dissatisfaction with the service road and drainage system of the expressway.Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner of Mandya, stated that the NHAI had been informed, following an inspection by officials, to install signage regarding lane speed and address other concerns. He also urged the NHAI to enhance highway patrol efforts and focus on improving ambulance and crane services.Kumar lamented that although a total of 1,525 street lamps were required for the expressway, a significant portion of which passed through Mandya district, only 850 had been installed.Furthermore, Mandya MLA P Ravikumar questioned why personnel proficient in Kannada had not been stationed at the toll plazas.NHAI officials present at the meeting assured that all pending work on the expressway would be completed within two weeks. Regarding the concern about non-Kannadigas manning the toll plaza, the NHAI officials promised to escalate the matter to senior officials.