NHAI hastens ₹8,172-cr Bengaluru-Mysuru e-way project

The National Highway Authority of India has hastened the construction work on the 117.3-km long 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, which is being built to reduce travel time between the two cities to 90 minutes, from three hours currently. It involves ₹8,172-crore investment. The first phase from Bengaluru to Nidaghatta in Mandya will be ready by May next year, while the second phase from Nidaghatta to Mysuru will be in place by September.

The project intends to convert the existing four-lane highway into a six-lane, along with four service lanes and paved shoulders for two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws on both sides of the road. Vehicles can zip past at 100 kmph when it is ready. The two Covid waves and a shortage of manpower and material have pushed deadlines repeatedly in the last two years.

An elevated highway is being built from RR Medical College to Christ University in the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta section, with four bridges. For the stretch between Nidaghatta to Mysuru, an elevated highway was coming up for 3.38 km at Maddur, with a portion running to 275 meters in Srirangapatna. The foundation and casting works have been completed and erection of segments and wings are in progress.