Mysuru–Kushalnagar highway project finally on track after long delays
Currently, construction is underway on a 19-km section from Agrahara in Srirangapatna to Yalachanahalli in Mysuru taluk, and another 24.10-km stretch from Belthur in Hunsur taluk to Harave Mallarajapattana in Periyapatna taluk. These developments follow the recent approval of Package 3 by the Central Government, which was a long-pending demand by local commuters.
Officials from NHAI noted that the highway is being developed in response to the increasing vehicular load on the Bengaluru–Mysuru–Madikeri route. The new highway is anticipated to substantially reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Kushalnagar, which in turn will benefit travellers heading further west to Madikeri and Mangaluru.
A senior NHAI official said, 'The realignment of the route will commence from Guddehosur near Kushalnagar and terminate close to Srirangapatna, where it will seamlessly link with the Bengaluru–Mysuru National Highway (NH-275). This alignment is designed to ensure minimal disruption to Mysuru city, effectively diverting heavy traffic away from urban roads.'
Land acquisition issues
The ₹4,130-crore project was inaugurated in March 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but ground-level work had been stalled due to prolonged land acquisition issues. Officials attributed the delay to disputes over compensation, lack of documentation among landowners, and ongoing litigation in some stretches.
Once completed, the highway is expected to ease traffic congestion in Mysuru, especially since it begins from Srirangapatna, thus avoiding the city altogether. This is expected to significantly streamline vehicular movement for travellers heading to and from Hunsur, Periyapatna, Kushalnagar, Madikeri, and even parts of Kerala via Kodagu.
'People travelling from Bengaluru towards Kodagu, Mangaluru, or Kerala will no longer need to enter Mysuru city. The new highway will provide a more efficient and safer route, especially during weekends and holidays when traffic volume typically spikes,' said NHAI official.
Need of upgraded road
Daily commuters and regular travellers echoed the need for the upgraded road.
'Driving on this route during peak hours is a nightmare. The current road is narrow, filled with potholes, and overtaking is extremely risky. Accidents have become a common sight,' said Shivakumar R., a software engineer who frequently travels from Bengaluru to Madikeri.
Another commuter, Sathyanarayana Prasad, from Hunsur, said, 'On weekends, traffic jams can last for hours. The condition of the road is terrible, and there's very little room for manoeuvring. Since there is no alternative road from Mysuru to Hunsur, we all need to depend on this traffic snarl stretch. Proper four-lane highway is not just a convenience, it's a necessity now.'
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