The Bengaluru-Mysuru highway has seen a remarkable 69% decrease in road accident fatalities in 2024, thanks to enhanced surveillance and diligent monitoring by the police control room. From January to May 2024, there were 31 fatalities in 125 reported accidents, compared to 100 deaths in 288 accidents during the same period in 2023. This significant decline underscores the effectiveness of recent safety measures implemented on this critical stretch.
In 2023, the highway recorded 288 accidents, with 87 being fatal and 201 non-fatal, resulting in 100 deaths and 301 injuries. The situation has improved significantly in 2024, with 28 fatal and 97 non-fatal accidents leading to 31 deaths and 167 injuries. April 2024 saw the highest number of accidents, with 31 incidents reported, a notable decrease from the 61 accidents recorded in April 2023.
“Our persistent efforts are paying off. We have reduced deaths from 100 in January-May 2023 to 31 in January-May 2024, and from 29 deaths in May 2023 to just 3 in May 2024. Kudos to our team of SPs and CP. Let’s strive together to make the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway a death-free zone,” tweeted Alok Kumar, the Additional Director General of Police for Traffic and Road Safety.
Measures Taken
In response to the high number of accidents in 2023, Alok Kumar, alongside police and highway officials, identified several contributing factors and implemented targeted safety measures. These actions have led to a notable reduction in accidents.
A major factor in this improvement has been the strategic installation of surveillance cameras at five key points along the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta and Nidaghatta-Mysuru sections. These cameras, overseen by the Ramnagar and Mandya District Police Departments, have significantly enhanced monitoring capabilities. Each district’s police control room now houses servers that meticulously record traffic violations, allowing for quicker responses and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
Sources also indicate that the collaboration between police and highway officials has been crucial in reducing fatalities and enhancing overall road safety.