Mysuru: Motorists continue to face significant challenges while driving on the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway at night, over a year after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite the highway’s construction cost exceeding ₹8,000 crore and its reputation as one of the finest in India, inadequate nighttime lighting endangers drivers.
After sunset, much of the highway remains dark, with authorities having installed lights only in select areas. This lack of illumination forces drivers to rely solely on vehicle headlights, making the highway perilous. Incidents of robbery and frequent accidents have been reported, heightening safety concerns for motorists whose vehicles break down or who need to exit the road during emergencies.
Supreeth Raj, a regular commuter between Mysuru and Bengaluru, highlighted the urgency for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to install lights along both sides of the highway. He emphasized that poor visibility is a primary cause of accidents and robberies on this route.
BS Prashanth, president of the Mysuru Travels Association, stressed that proper lighting is essential for safe travel on national highways. He noted that currently, lights are installed only near bridges, which is insufficient. Prashanth pointed out that well-lit highways are standard in other countries and significantly reduce accidents by improving visibility for parked vehicles and other obstacles.
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumara has acknowledged the issue and promised to verify the situation.