NHAI approves Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System worth Rs. 3.6 crore 

Mysore/Mysuru: With the goal of effectively curbing accidents resulting from traffic violations on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway and enforcing penalties on offenders, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given approval for the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at six additional locations.

The NHAI has allocated Rs. 3.6 crore for the installation of these ANPR cameras. Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simmha, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), announced that the cameras are designed to capture instances of overspeeding, lane discipline violations, wrong side movements and the activities of two and three-wheelers, among other infractions.

The MP has posted a communication from the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (an initiative of NHAI) to Tecsidel India Pvt. Ltd, Gurugram, Haryana, that has been entrusted with the responsibility of providing Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (VIDES) on the Bengaluru-Mysuru section of National Highway-275.

The quoted price of the project is Rs. 3,63,06,400, excluding GST. 

At present, the ANPR cameras, also known as Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, have been installed near Amaravathi Hotel — near Ummadahalli Gate — that is 93-km from Bengaluru. As per the NHAI plan, six more locations on the 119-km Expressway will get such cameras to catch the violators.

NHAI officials emphasised that a primary objective behind the installation of these cameras is to identify and penalise speeding violations. The cameras are equipped to capture vehicle numbers, enabling the issuance of challans to offending drivers.

Leveraging Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and advanced image processing techniques, the technology is adept at automatically interpreting vehicle registration plates. The ANPR camera is specifically designed to capture high-resolution images of licence plates, extract characters from the images, and convert them into alphanumeric data for effective enforcement of traffic regulations.

Additionally, the NHAI hopes that the installation of more such cameras will also serve as a deterrent against thefts. Officials have noted a surge in incidents where thieves exploit the situation, with reported cases of thefts involving fences, crash barriers, and lights.

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Complete KYC by Jan. 31 to avoid deactivation by NHAI

New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative that aims to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.

The move is taken with an aim to enhance efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said yesterday.

NHAI is also encouraging FASTag users to complete the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) process of their latest FASTag by updating KYC as per RBI guidelines. FASTags with valid balance but with incomplete KYC will get deactivated/blacklisted by banks after Jan. 31, 2024.

“Only the latest FASTag account shall remain active as previous tags will be deactivated or blacklisted after 31st January 2024,” it said.

Users must ensure that KYC of their latest FASTag is completed. FASTag users must also comply with ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ and discard all the earlier issued FASTags through their respective banks, the Ministry has instructed.

The NHAI has taken this initiative after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate.

Apart from this, FASTags are sometimes deliberately not fixed on the windscreen of the vehicle, resulting in unnecessary delays at the Toll Plazas and causing inconvenience to fellow National Highway users.

How to check KYC status

• Visit dedicated customer web portal https://fastag.ihmcl.com
• Log in using your mobile number and password or go through OTP-based validation; navigate to Dashboard Menu.
• On the left side of Dashboard, select the ‘My Profile’ option, showing your KYC status. If your KYC is pending and hasn’t been done yet, follow the next steps to get it done.
• In ‘My Profile’ page, locate ‘KYC’ sub-section; click on ‘KYC’ sub-section to choose your ‘Customer Type.’
• Fill in the mandatory fields by submitting the required ID proof and address proof documents.
• Additionally, upload your passport-size photo and address details as per the address proof.
• Before submitting these details, ensure that you tick the declaration: “I/We confirm the attached documents are authentic documents. I/We have the originals with us.”
• Proceed with KYC verification by submitting required info.

Documents required for KYC

Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle; Passport size photograph of vehicle owner.

KYC documents as per the category of vehicle owner:

Individual – ID proof and address proof from list mentioned, and 1 passport size photograph; Driving Licence, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID Card; Valid driving license would be sufficient for address and ID proof.

Corporate (non-individual)

Public Ltd./ Private Ltd./ partnership, proprietorship; Certificate of incorporation/ partnership deed/registration certificate of the firm; PAN Card of proprietor; PAN Card of the corporate;  Address proof of proprietor; Photo ID of signing authority;  Shop Act or other Firm Proof;  List of Directors with addresses/name and addresses of partners;  Pan Card (if HUF is taken as Customer); Udyog Aadhaar;  Sales Tax Registration.

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Toilets, petrol pumps and foot overbridges on Expressway

Mysore/Mysuru: Amid criticism from commuters travelling between Mysuru and Bengaluru due to the absence of essential amenities such as washrooms, petrol bunks and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure along the 118-km long Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a proactive step.

It has awarded a contract valued at Rs 36.5 crore to two companies tasked with constructing toilet blocks, food outlets and foot overbridges.

NHAI officials have outlined the plan, revealing that the access-controlled road will see the construction of four toilet blocks, two Nest (Mini) facilities providing drinking water, tea, coffee, packaged food and inclusive toilets for physically challenged individuals, along with 24 foot overbridges. Work orders for these facilities were issued last month.

Rahul Gupta, NHAI Project Director told reporters that one Nest (Mini) facility and one toilet block will be established on each side of the highway at the Sheshagirihalli Toll Plaza in Ramanagara District and at Gananguru in Srirangapatna Taluk of Mandya District.

The contract value for setting up Nest (Mini) and toilet blocks is Rs. 1.5 crore, while Rs. 35 crore will be allocated for the construction of 24 foot overbridges. These foot overbridges, integral to the project plan and a demand from villagers, will be set up at various locations.

Following discussions with panchayat members and other stakeholders, NHAI aims to complete the foot overbridges by December this year, with the toilet blocks and refreshment outlets ready by March.

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Mysuru-T. Narasipur Road upgraded till Chikkahalli to enhance safety and mitigate accidents

Mysore/Mysuru: In response to public concern over a poorly constructed road that led to a series of accidents, resulting in the loss of numerous lives, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has undertaken a comprehensive upgrade of the stretch between the Ring Road Junction on T. Narasipur Road and Chikkahalli, investing Rs. 9 crore in the project.

The NHAI has transformed the road into a four-lane thoroughfare and installed a noteworthy 5 ft. tall road divider, now considered the second tallest in the State.

This is one of the busiest roads in Mysuru after the city centre and it connects many outstation destinations and newly formed layouts at the foot of Chamundi Hill. Moreover, there are many educational institutions and spiritual destinations on the stretch that are frequented by people all day long.

The two-and-a-half-kilometre road section, previously identified as a black spot, was prone to accidents due to its narrow design within a significant curve. The unscientific layout rendered vehicles from the opposite direction invisible to drivers, compounded by a slope that resulted in high-speed movements and a series of accidents.

High incidence of accidents

Accidents were prevalent along the stretch between the Ring Road Junction and Police Layout, particularly near Dr. Rajashekar Hospital and the Ring Road Junction curve, both featuring challenging slopes. Despite prior development by NHAI on the Mysuru-T. Narasipur Road, the two roads on the curve were left unaddressed, leading to a high incidence of accidents.

Although road humps, accident zone markings and speed limit signboards were installed, the combination of slopes and resulting speed made sudden braking challenging for drivers, and even zig-zag barricades failed to prevent accidents.

The alarming number of fatalities, including Police personnel, prompted the Police Department to designate these areas as black spots. A formal request was made to NHAI to implement scientifically sound improvements, endorsed by the District Administration.

In response to these concerns, the NHAI has successfully upgraded NH 766, widening the 2.6 km road between the Ring Road Junction and Chikkahalli at a cost of Rs. 3.46 crore per kilometre, taking the total to Rs. 9 crore. The four-lane road, with a width of 60 feet, features a central concrete divider.

Curves minimised

The significant curves on this stretch have been minimised and slopes reduced to enhance safety. The newly constructed 5 ft. tall road divider effectively prevents any crossing by people or animals, contributing to a reduction in accidents.

Similar issues persist in 14 other black spots within Mysuru city, necessitating urgent and scientifically sound repairs to mitigate road accidents. The section of the road from T. Narasipur Ring Road Junction to Chikkahalli falls under Siddarthanagar Traffic Police limits.

Between 2020 and 2023, 50 fatalities and 40 serious injuries have been reported due to accidents on this road. Unfortunately, details from previous years are unavailable, suggesting a significant historical toll that underscores the urgency of addressing road safety concerns on this stretch.

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Maximum speed of 100 kmph imposed to discipline commuters; suitable decision soon, says Pratap Simha

Mysore/Mysuru: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is mulling on increasing the speed limit on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway from the existing maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour (kmph).

“The NHAI is planning to increase the speed limit in the due course as the Expressway has been built to reach 120 kmph. But the exact speed limit beyond which penalties will be imposed has not been finalised,” said Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha.

He was speaking after inspecting a stretch of National Highway 766 (earlier, NH 212) near JSS College yesterday where he said that the Highway from Mysuru till the Kerala border will be developed at a cost of Rs. 127 crore. The MP was accompanied by the officials from the NHAI. From Mysuru to Nanjangud, the Highway will be widened into 6 lanes and from Nanjangud till the Kerala border, it will be a 4-lane road.

“As of now, the speed limit on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway is 100 kmph and the limit has been set to curtail overspeeding and those who violate rules are being penalised. The design of the Expressway permits a speed up to 120 kmph. The speed limit has been imposed to discipline the commuters. Due to this, accident rates have also come down,”    the MP said.

“Our intention is to enforce discipline among commuters and prevent reckless driving. The decision to increase the speed limit and the actual speed will be taken later once safety is taken into consideration,” Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha said.

At present, the NHAI is implementing the truck lane on the Expressway to prevent trucks from moving on other lanes. Once the dedicated truck lane is set up, all the trucks have to move on that particular lane.

“Now often we see trucks flouting the lane discipline and even entering the speed lane and then moving slowly, obstructing other vehicles, sometimes leading to accidents,” the MP added.

Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Traffic and Road Safety, Alok Kumar has posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 5 that surprise checks on the Expressway will continue.

Posting the images of vehicles that have been booked on X, the ADGP said, “In the backdrop of satisfying August accident data, conducted a surprise check on Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway Violations observed — overspeeding, lane violation and two-wheelers. 15 vehicles booked. Such checks will continue in future too.”

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With barriers at entry, exit points, vehicles have no alternative but to reach Toll Plaza

Srirangapatna: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a proactive solution to address the escalating issue of toll evasion on the Access Controlled Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway.

This is being accomplished through the installation of concrete barricades at various entry and exit points along the service roads and the main carriageway.

Since the commencement of toll collection at three Toll Plazas located in Gananguru (Srirangapatna taluk), Sheshagirihalli (Ramanagara) and Kaniminike (Bidadi), a persistent problem has emerged.

Many vehicles have exploited the absence of barricades on certain stretches to bypass Toll Plazas, leading to a significant loss in toll revenues.

Currently, the toll rates stand at Rs. 485 for same-day return journeys and Rs. 630 after 24 hours, imposing considerable financial strain on motorists. To circumvent toll payment, drivers heading from Mysuru to Bengaluru opt to divert their route before Gananguru, subsequently rejoining the Expressway via the service road near Thoobinakere.

A similar evasion tactic is employed at Kaniminike, involving a leftward deviation towards the service road near Satya Apartments. For a span of roughly 10 kms, vehicles easily navigate this route before reconnecting with the main road, gaining access to Bengaluru city prior to the NICE Road junction.

In a concerted effort to combat toll evasion, the NHAI is installing cement barriers at critical entry and exit points. This measure aims to effectively close off unauthorised routes, compelling all vehicles to adhere to the stipulated toll payment protocol by passing through designated Toll Plazas.

Barricades from Mysuru side

The installation process for these cement barriers involves use of cranes to position blocks at selected locations. Yesterday, cement blocks were laid near Srirangapatna, specifically on the Mysuru side near Hallimane Restaurant, where entry and exit points exist on both sides of the Expressway.

Similarly, the exit point in Srirangapatna from Mandya side, near Gowripura (Shettihalli), has been securely sealed off, leaving vehicles with no choice but to proceed to the Toll Plaza. By effectively closing off these access points, the NHAI aims to eliminate the viability of toll evasion and ensure that all vehicles contribute to toll revenues.

NHAI sources have pointed out that convenient openings exist near Srirangapatna, Mandya, Maddur, Channapatna, and Ramanagara, allowing entry and exit from the service road parallel to the Expressway. This arrangement has proved advantageous for vehicle users and many have been utilising these points to bypass toll collection.

This practice has resulted in a significant reduction in revenue, with even KSRTC buses taking advantage of these routes to evade toll charges. An officer stated on condition of anonymity, “We are sealing such unauthorised entry and exit points.”

When asked about the inconvenience to villagers who usually take these routes, the officer said that villagers have been provided designated entry and exit points and these routes will not be barricaded. However, many commuters who have been using unbarricaded stretches till now were seen arguing with NHAI staff this morning as their convenient routes have been blocked.

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Mysore/Mysuru: As the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented full-fledged toll collection on the Access Controlled Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, certain drivers have discovered convenient and alternative routes to evade paying the toll.

It has been three months since toll collection commenced on the Expressway and three toll plazas have been established at Gananguru in Srirangapatna taluk, Sheshagirihalli near Ramanagara and Kaniminike near Bidadi.

Despite this, the Expressway remains embroiled in disputes as some organisations protest against the toll tariff hikes, which have occurred twice, burdening road users financially.

Presently, the tariff entails a toll of Rs. 485 for cars on the same-day return journey and Rs. 630 after 24 hours, causing significant financial strain. To bypass toll payment, drivers travelling from Mysuru to Bengaluru veer off-course before Gananguru, rejoining the Expressway via the service road near Thoobinakere.

A similar strategy is adopted to avoid the toll at Kanaminike, involving a deviation left towards the service road near Satya Apartment.

For approximately 10 km, they traverse with ease before reconnecting with the main road to access Bengaluru city prior to the NICE Road junction. Convenient openings near Srirangapatna, Mandya, Maddur, Channapatna, Maddur, Channapatna and Ramanagara facilitate entry and exit from the service road parallel to the Expressway, proving advantageous for vehicle users.

It is reported that travellers adopt a comparable approach when journeying from Bengaluru to Mysuru. However, those financially capable of paying the toll prefer to remain on the main thoroughfare of the Expressway, eschewing any potential risks.

During a recent inspection of the Expressway, ADGP (Traffic and Road Safety) Alok Kumar observed that drivers resort to shortcuts to evade the steep toll charges. Such actions might cease if toll charges   were reduced.

Furthermore, the Expressway, constructed at a considerable cost, still exhibits certain shortcomings that require rectification.

Notably, numerous black spots persist, compounded by the growing traffic volume between Mysuru and the Thoobinakere junction in Mandya district, as well as the stretch between Kaniminike and the NICE Road junction in Bengaluru. These concerns were highlighted by the ADGP during his assessment.

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Three-member Panel to inspect Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway from today; to suggest safety measures

Mysore/Mysuru: Days after the State Government announced the formation of a Technical Committee to conduct a comprehensive study and provide recommendations for necessary improvements to prevent accidents on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued an order constituting a Road Safety Committee for safety inspection of the Expressway.

The NHAI order, issued by Sunil Jindal, Chief General Manager, Road Safety Division, was sent on July 14 and was released to the media by Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha this morning.

The NHAI order said that a competent authority (NHAI) has constituted an Expert Committee comprising officers and advisors in order to carry out safety inspection of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Access Controlled Highway.

The Committee members are Sudershan K. Popli, Advisor Road Safety, Praveen Kumar, Deputy General Manager, RSO, Bengaluru and Jaivardhan Singh, Manager, Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Sohna in Haryana. The Committee members will visit the Expressway from July 17 (today) till July 20 and submit its report within 10 days of the completion of the visit.

NHAI sources told Star of Mysore that the Committee is responsible to suggest measures to ensure the safety of motorists on the Expressway following many accidents where over 100 people have lost their lives since its inauguration in March 2023.

Some of the measures that the Committee will look into are installation of speed cameras, installation of rumble strips and imposing stricter penalties for traffic violations. After inspection, the Committee will suggest safety measures including installation of crash barriers at places where maximum accidents have been reported.

Measures will also include improvement of drainage as water-logging has been reported at many places when it rained, sources added.

The Committee will identify road safety hazards including areas where accidents are likely to occur, such as sharp curves, narrow lanes and poor visibility. The Committee may also recommend improvements to the road infrastructure and improving signage.

The Committee will monitor road safety data including collecting data on accidents, injuries, and fatalities and use this data to identify trends and to assess the effectiveness of its safety measures.

Mysuru-Kushalnagar Highway works from September: MP

At a separate meeting at the DC Office this morning, MP Pratap Simha discussed the Mysuru-Kushalnagar section of NH-275 where a new four-lane Expressway is being built.

The MP met the officers including Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra and he looked into the issues concerning the workforce and ensured the smooth implementation of the project’s construction work.

The MP told reporters that the physical work on the Expressway will begin from Sept. 1, 2023 and it will be completed by December 2024.

“It is a Rs. 4,130 crore project to lay a 93-km-long Highway between Mysuru and Kushalnagar and tenders have been awarded for the works to be taken up in four packages from Paschimavahini in Srirangapatna to Guddehosur near Kushalnagar. The new road will join the Expressway between Mysuru and Bengaluru,” he said.

“The Centre is paying Rs. 600 crore as compensation for the land owners. The NHAI has already completed the alignment and design of the Expressway including bypasses, bridges and underpasses. Departments like Forest, Irrigation, Revenue, Energy and Horticulture have been asked to be ready to shift the existing infrastructure before the Expressway works begin and accordingly, funds have been released,” Pratap Simha added.

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Three radar speed guns deployed on Ramanagara stretch; more will arrive in the coming days

Ramanagara: In a concerted effort to curb the escalating number of accidents on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway caused by over-speeding motorists, the Ramanagara Police took action on Tuesday, July 4. Deploying three mobile speed radar guns, they apprehended 44 vehicles (as of 10.30 pm) that had exceeded the permissible speed limit of 100 kmph.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the maximum speed limit on the expressway is set at 100 kmph for light motor vehicles and buses, while trucks have a limit of 80 kmph. However, the speed limit for the overtaking lane is raised to 120 kmph.

Additional Director-General of Police (Traffic and Road Safety) Alok Kumar said that the violators have been booked and their licenses will be impounded. The Police have recommended the suspension of their licences to the relevant Regional Transport Office (RTO).

More mobile radar speed guns will soon be deployed on other sections of the Expressway, including Mandya and other areas, based on the demand until permanent solutions are implemented.

However, the implementation of speed control measures on the Expressway has drawn criticism from some individuals on social media. They argued that the Expressway’s name is misleading, given its speed limitations and the presence of multiple barricades. In fact, one Twitter user went as far as alleging that these measures were simply a means of extorting money from the public.

In response to these concerns, Alok Kumar clarified the objective behind these actions. He emphasised that the primary aim is to control over-speeding and enforce lane discipline.

By adhering to the newly assigned speed limit on the 118-km stretch, travellers can still reach their destinations within two hours from Mysuru. He stressed that exceeding the speed limit and driving at 120 kmph or above pose a significant risk of accidents and loss of control.

He further pointed out that studies have highlighted the lack of driving skills among Indian drivers and the inadequate equipment in vehicles to safely maintain high speeds for extended periods.

The Police have also proposed to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ban the movement of slow-moving vehicles, including two and three-wheelers and tractors, on the expressway. These vehicles can use the service road.

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• NHAI hikes toll charges with effect from June 1
• Prepares to levy charges on Nidaghatta-Mysuru section

Mysore/Mysuru: The toll charges for a section of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway have been quietly increased by the National Highways Authority of India (NHA), with rates going up by as much as 22 percent.

The toll has been increased for all types of vehicles and comes at a time when a new Government is in place. Before coming to power, the Congress party led many protests against the ‘steep’ toll charges.

The hike, effective from June 1, came as a rude shock for the commuters who noticed that the toll deducted from their FASTag accounts was higher than the previous charges. The one-way fare for cars, vans, and jeeps has now been raised from Rs. 135 to Rs. 165, resulting in an increase of Rs. 30.

Previously, the toll fee for a single trip on the Expressway for cars was Rs. 135 but it has now been raised to Rs. 165. Similarly, for a round trip on the same day, the charges have increased from Rs. 205 to Rs. 250. As the toll charges have gone up, the monthly pass rates too have been increased (see table).

Light commercial vehicles and mini-buses will now have to pay Rs. 270 instead of Rs. 220 for a one-way journey and Rs. 405 (previously Rs. 330) for a return trip. Buses and trucks will be charged Rs. 565 for a single journey and Rs. 850 for a round trip.

Likewise, heavy construction equipment or earth-moving equipment or 4 to 6 axle vehicles have to pay Rs. 885 for a single trip and Rs. 1,330 for a round trip on the same day. Oversized vehicles (7 or more axles) have to pay Rs. 1,080 for a single journey and Rs. 1,620 for the same day return trip.

According to the NHAI, the hike is a regular procedure tied to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). Initially, the NHAI had planned to implement the toll hike from Apr. 1 as part of the annual revision of toll prices across the country but was kept on hold due to protests and public outrage. The NHAI has displayed the revised fee on the toll plaza signage boards near the toll plaza to inform the public.

The revised toll is being collected at the Kanaminike and Sheshagirihalli toll plazas and sources said that the toll charges for the Nidaghatta-Mysuru section will be announced soon. Toll collection on that section is expected to begin on July 1.

NEW TOLL CHARGES 

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