Seven others injured, one critical; Vehicle was transporting wedding party from Haveri

Mysore/Mysuru: Three persons from Mysuru, including a woman, were killed and seven others sustained grievous injuries in an accident on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway in the early hours of Saturday. Police reports indicate that the accident resulted from overspeeding.

The collision occurred near Byrapatna, situated on the outskirts of Channapatna, at around 1.30 am. The vehicle involved was transporting passengers from Haveri to Mysuru. The group from Mysuru was travelling in a Tempo Traveller after attending a wedding in Haveri when the accident took place near Byrapatna Chamundeshwari Medical College.

The deceased have been identified as Somalingappa (70), a resident of Someshwarapura near Devalapura in Mysuru; Shivalingappa (66), a resident of Karimuddanahalli in Hunsur taluk and Rajeshwari Desai (56), a resident of Dharwad who had joined the wedding travel party to Mysuru.

Among the injured are driver Prasanna, Kumaraswamy, Nithin, Lakshmi, Choodaratna, Leelavathy and Namratha, also from Mysuru, who are currently receiving treatment at hospitals, Police said. Among the injured, the condition of Choodaratna is said to be critical. 

The victims had attended the wedding of one Kumaraswamy’s son in Haveri on Feb. 16. Kumaraswamy, a resident of Dasanakoppalu Gate Trends Apartment, along with his relatives, had left Mysuru on Feb. 15, hiring a Tempo Traveller for transportation.

Initially, there were approximately 14 passengers in the vehicle, with four disembarking at Kengeri, while the rest continued their journey towards Mysuru. According to Police reports, the driver Prasanna was operating the vehicle recklessly, despite passengers’ warnings to drive more cautiously. Injured individuals informed the Police that the driver was overspeeding.

The collision resulted in the Tempo Traveller crashing into a passing truck and overturning. The truck driver, sensing the situation, fled the scene fearing his safety. Investigations revealed that driver Prasanna attempted to overtake the truck in an improper manoeuvre, leading to the accident. Rajeshwari Desai, who was travelling with the bride, was also killed with Somalingappa and Shivalingappa due to sudden impact.

The driver’s fatigue, lack of awareness of safe driving practices and insufficient distance between vehicles on the Expressway were cited as contributing factors to the collision by the Police. The injured were treated at the Channapatna Government Hospital and some of them have been shifted to the ICU of Rajarajeshwari Medical College Hospital in Bengaluru.

The impact of the accident was severe, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and ejecting several passengers onto the road. Passers-by, assisted by the Police, intervened, temporarily blocking the road to help the victims and clear the wreckage. Traffic was disrupted on the Expressway for a brief period.

The driver has been charged with negligence resulting in death and reckless driving. Police and transport officials are also verifying the vehicle’s compliance with relevant permits.

The post Two from Mysuru among three killed on Expressway appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah Budget has announced the construction of a flyover at the junction of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway and Outer Ring Road near Kempegowda Circle, commonly known as the Manipal Hospital Junction, along the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, intending to alleviate traffic congestion.

This collaborative effort with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) aims to address the mounting traffic snarls, particularly noticeable since the transformation of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway to an Expressway last year.

During peak hours, weekends and holidays, the Manipal Hospital junction experiences severe traffic congestion, with trucks, buses, cars and two-wheelers vying for space. Crossing this junction can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. Even before the Expressway upgrade, traffic jams were a common occurrence and the situation has only worsened with the Highway expansion.

The proposed flyover will span the Highway at the Manipal Hospital Junction, intersecting with the Outer Ring Road. The urgent need to transform the junction into a signal-free passageway to ensure the seamless flow of traffic was emphasised in the Budget.

It is worth noting that the NHAI had initially approved a proposal for developing the Hospital Junction into a Clover Leaf Interchange back in 2019. However, this project never materialised, primarily due to its high costs.

It may be recalled here that Minister for Urban Development B.S. Suresh, during his visit to Mysuru in November 2023, engaged with officials to initiate the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the flyover.

The post Expressway-Outer Ring Road Junction to get a flyover appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Srirangapatna: An accident occurred on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway near Srinivasa Agrahara in Srirangapatna taluk, resulting in the death of a young individual from Mysuru.

The accident occurred when the vehicle, in which the victim Akshay (26) was travelling from Mysuru, lost control and veered across the road median, colliding with an oncoming car from the Bengaluru side.

Initially, a news report in Star of Mysore on Feb. 15 said that it was the Bengaluru-bound car that crossed the median. However, a caller named Sujith Shetty, a relative of one of the passengers of the Bengaluru-bound car, informed SOM over the phone on Feb. 16 morning that it was, in fact, the car that was going from Mysuru

(Akshay and friends) to Bengaluru that caused the collision. Police confirmed that three other occupants of the vehicle sustained severe injuries and were admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru.

The deceased Akshay was a resident of Ittigegud (Indiranagar) in Mysuru. Among the injured is Sudheer, along with             two others.

Akshay and his companions were en route to Bengaluru and the driver lost control of the vehicle, leading it to breach the road median and collide with the car approaching from Bengaluru. Both vehicles suffered extensive damage upon impact, necessitating the intervention of the Police to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow. Srirangapatna Town Police have  registered a case.

The post Collision on Expressway claims city youth’s life appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Srirangapatna: A youth from Mysuru was killed on the spot, when another car coming from Bengaluru side jumped over the road median on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway and rammed into the car the youth was travelling near Srinivasa Agrahara in the  taluk yesterday.

Police said that three other occupants of the car have sustained serious injuries and have been admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru. The injured are undergoing treatment in an ICU and are said to be critical.

The deceased youth has been identified as Akshay (26), a resident of Ittigegud (Indiranagar) in Mysuru. Sudheer is among three persons who have sustained serious injuries, Police added.

It is learnt that Akshay, along with others were proceeding towards Bengaluru in a car, when another car coming from Bengaluru side jumped over the road median and rammed into the car Akshay and others were travelling. It is learnt that the car coming from Bengaluru was speeding resulting in the driver losing control of the car which jumped the road divider and rammed into the car coming in the opposite direction.

Due to the impact, both cars have been badly damaged and the Police, who reached the spot, cleared both the cars and made was for smooth flow of traffic.

Srirangapatna Town Police have registered a case.

The post Mysuru youth killed on Expressway as car jumps divider and hits another car appeared first on Star of Mysore.

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.

The post Six more AI-based cameras on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Srirangapatna: A man claiming to be a relative of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) refused to pay the toll and created ruckus before  slapping a female staff of the Toll Plaza on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway recently.

The car coming from Bengaluru side stopped at the Toll Plaza and the man inside the car claimed that he was a relative of DKS, refused to pay the toll fee and showed the Toll Plaza staff a photo copy of a pass. When the staff told him that the photo copy of the pass will not be considered, the man created a ruckus for some time and later paid the toll fee by scanning the QR code through a UPI app.

When the staff asked him to show his mobile phone as they had to take down the code number, he refused to show and told the staff that he had paid and asked them to look for the code number in their computer.

Soon wordy duel ensued between the female staff manning the counter and the man and in a fit of rage, he slapped the female staff. Soon, other staff members arrived and stopped the fight. Later they lodged a complaint against the man with Srirangapatna Rural Police besides handing over the CCTV footage of the assault to the Police.

Inspector Kumar said that the Srirangapatna Rural Police, who have registered a case, are investigating besides launching a hunt to trace the car and its driver.

The post Claiming to be DKS kin, man creates ruckus at Toll Plaza, assaults female staff appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Multiple sections under IPC, Motor Vehicle Act to be added in FIR against violators

Mysore/Mysuru: After an increasing number of traffic violations on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, the jurisdictional Mandya, Maddur and Ramanagara Police have decided to file First Information Reports (FIR) on those who were found driving on the wrong side. 

Those violating traffic rules and causing accidents by rash and negligent driving will be tried and punished separately under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) besides the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act. “Multiple sections under IPC and MV Act will be added in the FIR on violators so that the penalty amount is steep, forcing them to attend the Court of law to pay the penalties,” Maddur Traffic Sub-Inspector Mahesh Eregowda told Star of Mysore this morning.

As per Section 279 of the IPC, any individual found guilty of rash or negligent driving, endangering human life, can be imprisoned for a period of up to 6 months, fined Rs. 1,000, or both.

Negligent driving refers to a situation wherein an individual is driving without following the basic road safety rules, putting other people’s lives at risk.

In case of an injury to or death of a person due to negligent driving, the driver will be booked under Section 337 and Section 338 of the IPC.

IPC Sections 279, 304 Part II (contributed/responsible for the death), 304A (causing death by negligence), 337 and 338 have been specifically framed to deal with offences like rash and negligent driving resulting in death, or hurt, or grievous hurt and an accused could be prosecuted under both the laws simultaneously. 

Following many complaints from the commuters on social media on wrong side driving on the Expressway, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Traffic and Road Safety Alok Kumar has directed the Mandya and the Ramanagara SPs to take action. In the recent past, many people were seen driving in the opposite direction of the Expressway which resulted in road accidents.

“Till now, we were imposing penalties on a single offence and the violators used to get away after paying basic penalties. Now, FIRs will be booked with multiple IPC and MV rules so that penalties will reach a minimum of Rs. 10,000 and they must go to the Court to pay the fine,” Mahesh Eregowda said. The Police also warned of driving licence cancellation if anyone was found not following rules on the Expressway. 

“Many wrong-side driving complaints are reported in Maddur, Channapatna and Ramanagara divisions as there are multiple villages on either side of the Expressway. We also have penalised many two-wheelers violating the ban on travelling on the Expressway. Henceforth, the penalties will be stringent with the FIR registration,” he added.   

Srirangapatna Rural Inspector B.G. Kumar said that in the 22 days of January 2024, they have booked over 100 cases and the penalties ranged from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 including reckless driving and driving on the wrong side.

The post FIR on those who drive on wrong side of Expressway appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Srirangapatna: The Gadde Ranganatha Swamy Temple, dating back to the 15th century and situated near the historic town of Srirangapatna along the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, is currently  undergoing reconstruction.

The temple, positioned on the banks of the River Cauvery at Brahmapura, faced the risk of being obscured during the construction of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, but now, with the completion of the Expressway by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), efforts to revitalise the heritage site are in full swing.

The heritage temple is being meticulously reconstructed, stone by stone and pillar by pillar, from its original location. This relocation is a result of the completion of the Expressway, and the temple is now positioned near the Cauvery River, 200 metres from its initial location and 100 metres from the road.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simmha visited the ongoing construction site last Saturday and shared images of the progress on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). The Gadde Ranganatha Swamy Temple, constructed by Vijayanagar rulers around five centuries ago, boasts 12 large stone pillars.

The front pillars are round-shaped, while the remaining ones are square-shaped. The sanctum sanctorum houses the idol of the presiding deity, Gadde Ranganatha Swamy, positioned at a height of approximately 3½ feet.

Lakshmish Guruji, the priest of the Lakshmi Temple in Srirangapatna, explained to Star of Mysore that the idol of Gadde Ranganatha Swamy underwent careful removal, adhering to Vedic rituals, before the translocation. The idol is currently housed at the Lakshmi Temple and will undergo the traditional ‘Prana Pratishtapana’ (consecration) once the new Gadde Ranganatha Swamy Temple is reconstructed.

Despite not being listed among protected monuments, the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage submitted a report to the Mandya District Administration emphasising the temple’s significant historical value and the need for conservation. Consequently, the Mandya District Administration came forward to facilitate the relocation of the temple.

This initiative mirrors a similar effort in 2017 when the 18th-century Tipu Armoury, weighing 1,050 tonnes and located in Srirangapatna, was translocated to make way for the double-tracking work of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Railway line.

The post Works on to restore 15th Century Gadde Ranganatha Swamy Temple appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Damaged electric poles to be rectified by CESC

NHAI to pay Rs. 70 lakh to CESC; will handover maintenance of electric poles after repairs

Mysore/Mysuru: Taking serious note of last Friday’s accident at Ragimuddanahalli in Mandya where a high-tension electric pole fell on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, narrowly sparing a bike rider, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has reached out to the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) for collaboration in repairing and maintaining these vulnerable poles.

Under the proposed arrangement, NHAI will remit Rs. 70 lakh to CESC to facilitate the necessary repairs for poles that have been repeatedly targeted by metal thieves.

The modus operandi involves cutting off the strengthening bars or angles, which are crafted from high-grade steel. The stolen parts are then sold in scrap yards for monetary gain.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Mandya CESC Superintending Engineer Somashekar said that there are over 240 electric poles from Mysuru till the Ramanagara border (under CESC jurisdiction) and some of them have been damaged badly as thieves have stolen the stainless-steel angles (metal bars) and clamps fixed on the electric poles. As the angles have been removed, the poles dangerously sway when the wind blows.

Formal handover awaited

“The NHAI has not yet handed over the Expressway electricity system maintenance to CESC. Now after the pole-falling incident, NHAI has written to CESC committing an estimate of Rs. 70 lakh to repair the damaged electricity poles. The letter also mentions that the electricity maintenance will be handed over to CESC after repairs,” he said.

Somashekar further said that as per norms, the NHAI has to maintain the Expressway and its associated assets for one year, before handing over the maintenance to other Government agencies. “The handover of electricity properties will happen eventually and we are awaiting approval from the head office to carry out the repairs after NHAI pays money to CESC,” he added. 

In the past too, CESC has written multiple letters to NHAI asking them to maintain the electricity poles properly as metal thieves have been removing the strengthening bars or angles between the poles.

A narrow escape

The incident last Friday unfolded near Ragimuddanahalli village in Mandya taluk on the service road of the Expressway, where an electric pole fell onto the highway, narrowly avoiding a moving bike. The rider, Suresh, a resident of Ganjam in Srirangapatna, had a narrow escape. Quick assistance from villagers followed, lessening the impact of the accident.

The incident led to a significant traffic jam on the service road. Suresh recounted the harrowing incident, expressing deep gratitude to his parents and to God for his miraculous escape. He highlighted the near-miss scenario, acknowledging that had he arrived just a second earlier, his life might have been in jeopardy.

According to sources, the NHAI has taken measures to address the issue of theft involving NHAI properties. The NHAI has reportedly installed cameras at elevated corridors to monitor incidents of theft, particularly those targeting metal parts. In light of the continued prevalence of such thefts, the NHAI is actively considering relocating these surveillance cameras to other vulnerable spots.

The post Echo of high-tension electric pole falling on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: The Central Government has earmarked Rs. 688 crore to bolster road safety measures on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently concluded a comprehensive survey of the Expressway, prompted by a series of road accidents on the newly constructed road.

In response to safety concerns highlighted in the survey report, the Centre has initiated the bidding process for the construction of crucial infrastructure elements, including pedestrian flyovers, road markings, guard rails and crash barriers.

The identified hazardous spots, encompassing issues such as gradients, will undergo corrective road safety measures during this undertaking. The proposed improvements include increased lighting, foot overbridges, warning signs, headlight reflectors, road markings, guard rails and crash barriers along the Expressway.

The proposed investment aims to enhance safety infrastructure and mitigate road incidents along this crucial stretch.

 As of the end of July 2023, the Expressway reported 400 accidents, resulting in 121 fatalities, according to the latest data from the Central Government. However, recent information indicates a decline in accidents due to stringent speed-control measures implemented by the Mandya, Ramanagara and Bidadi Police. The installation of Artificial Intelligence-based speed detectors further contributed to reducing accidents by penalising motorists exceeding 100 km/hour.

In an effort to enhance safety, the NHAI imposed a ban on two-wheelers and three-wheelers on the Expressway since Aug. 1, 2023. The safety measures will also check black spots prone to accidents on the Expressway.

The post Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway: Rs. 688 crore to enhance safety measures appeared first on Star of Mysore.