NHAI Cracks Down on Toll-Evading Trucks on Mysuru Highway
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a crackdown on trucks and heavy commercial vehicles using service roads along the Bengaluru-Mysuru Access Controlled Expressway to evade tolls. This action comes in response to growing safety concerns for commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders, auto-rickshaws, and pedestrians, who are at risk from the movement of heavy vehicles on narrow service roads.Since the 119 km stretch of the expressway became fully operational, around 30-40% of motorists have chosen to avoid tolls by using the service roads, instead of paying for the main carriageway.
However, this practice has led to serious safety concerns. According to NHAI officials, incidents involving large trucks, including 10-wheelers, using the seven-metre-wide service roads have resulted in accidents, endangering the lives of road users, particularly in the absence of proper infrastructure for such heavy vehicles.In response, NHAI has taken immediate action to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles along service roads, particularly at locations like Toobinakere and Bidadi, on the Bengaluru to Mysuru side of the highway. Villagers in the region have also voiced their concerns, staging protests against the growing number of trucks using the service roads.
This restriction aims to ensure better road safety and prevent further accidents.
Moreover, NHAI is planning to install additional toll booths at 28 entry and exit points on the highway to curb the growing issue of toll evasion. The agency has initiated the process of land acquisition to widen the service roads around these toll booths, which are designed to cater to the fast-moving traffic expected on an access-controlled highway. To enhance safety, deceleration lanes and acceleration lanes will also be built at key entry and exit points, especially where bypasses are constructed.
Apart from addressing toll evasion, NHAI is also undertaking several significant projects to improve road safety and infrastructure. These include the construction of a flyover at Columbia Asia Junction and railway over-bridges at Bidadi, Channapatna, and Induvalu. The agency is investing Rs 711 crore in these projects, which are expected to be completed over the next two years.NHAI officials stress the importance of cooperation from local residents in ensuring that encroachments on service roads are removed promptly, to aid in the smooth execution of these ongoing safety improvements
