Sir,
Apropos to the recent press statements by politicians and articles regarding the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway (NH 275), being a Designer and a Project Management Consultant of roads, I highlight the following for easy understanding of a common man.
1. Construction of highways in our country has many complexities like timely acquisition of lands, realignment of existing services, demolition of structures within the Right Of Way and umpteen more.
2. They are seldom addressed completely before handing over the site to the contractor. 3. Meaning thereby that the ‘Approved Work Programme’ is severely subjective and seldom achievable.
4. Progress of each item in the Bill of Quantities is subject to handing over of stretches completely — measurable logically with respect to committed deployment of machinery and manpower resources.
5. Under the circumstances, politicians announcing “Time of Completion” sounds bizarre, to say the least.
6. It will be more appropriate for the Team Leader and the Resident Engineers of various sections to give out statements and not politicians. 7. Even to this date, significant quantities of structures, earthworks, subgrade and pavement works are still pending on the main carriageway, till Mandya. Dasaras come and go. The relevant question is, “are the works being carried out qualitatively.”
8. Pushing for progress invariably results in sacrifice of Quality Assurance and Control procedures. I am not sure if mandatory tests as per Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the prescribed frequency are being carried out.
9. I say this because the long stretch in and around Ramanagara (wearing course) seems to have developed undulations. This reflects lack of adequate compaction of layers (generally every layer of earthworks shall not exceed 250 mm in thickness).
10. Also, the Ramanagara zone is full of hard rock; and earthworks on hard rock are tricky.
11. I also feel that “backfilling” of a few structures are inadequately compacted and hence have sunk. If so, resurrecting them will be a humongous task.
12. Geometric designs in some elevated sections are poorly conceived; resulting in poor judgement of drivers and thereby causing accidents.
13. Rumblers (white wavy stripes) are provided to caution the drivers approaching steep/sharp curves. Whereas most rumblers are friendly, the ones as we approach Bengaluru are not rumblers but HOWLERS; very rough on shock absorbers/ suspensions.
14. I am not very sure if design factors for cross drainages (culverts and bridges) have been scrupulously checked for “ONE-IN-HUNDRED-YEAR” storms. I say this because of the washing away of a few stretches in the recent rains. If my observation is right, it is an issue of DPR (Detailed Project Report) consultants and may have serious ramifications if cross drainage works (for example, pipe culverts, RCC box culverts, minor bridges and major bridges) need redesigns and reconstructions. So, a lot seems to unfold as the years go by.
Now, a word of serious caution for drivers on this highway.
1. Such highways are generally designed for 80 – 100 kmph. Lane width is 3.50 mts; deemed sufficient to keep the design vehicle within the lane width at design speeds. For excessive speeding, road geometrics are poor to stick to lane discipline; as you tend to swerve out in curves. 2. Drivers need to be conscious of “which lane to use at what speed.”
3. I am afraid our drivers are callous, bordering idiosyncratic. I have seen autorickshaws driving on “kerbside lane” and two-wheelers snaking through all the lanes mindlessly. 4. Also, overloaded trucks drive at low speeds on kerbside lane, severely obstructing lighter vehicles to abide by lane discipline. 5. As a result, passenger cars and LCVs keep jumping all over the three lanes causing confusions, accidents and deaths. Already several serious accidents have occurred on NH 275.
6. So my strong advice as a designer of highways is:
A. Never contemplate covering the distance in 90 minutes — a senseless goal that will expose you to accidents every minute. B. Never criss-cross lanes sharply. C. Always watch the rear-view mirror constantly and while swapping lanes do it, as gradually as possible. D. Be mindful of high concrete “Side Walls” on elevated sections which you are most likely to brush at high speeds. They seem too close to the lane edge. E. Invariably, accidents on such roads are not only fatal but also involve multiple vehicles. F. Frankly, the country is NOT equipped with Governments and DPR Consultants to design efficient Highways that theories assume. G. So, be cautious the moment you hit the Highway.
—V.N. Prasad, Retired Highways Designer and Project Management Consultant
Note: All things considered it seems there is much for course-correction in the works of NH-275. No wonder, Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari is going to personally inspect the Highway. See report here
Excellent inputs, thank you Shri V. N. Prasad. You have made cogent points and cautioned the general public what to expect when driving on new highways.
To the editor: In the top of half of the article, bullet #7 is buried under bullet #6.
Dr. MP Divakar
The expressway must have passage or vent for small animals (amphibians, reptiles and mammals) every 10 km. Recently, we saw a panther succumb to hit by a high speed vehicle.
Autorickshaws must be banned in highways. Truck drivers need extensive training on driving, especially lane discipline. Trucks must travel in left lane.
Very good points. Thus is how informative the comments must be, with real original technology based steps that contribute to the subject
Dear Sir,
IMHO the need of the hour is ‘Education of Public’ in Road Safety, Driver Behaviour and a fundamental Revolution for achieving a culture of ‘SAFETY MINDSET’. A huge campaign in all forms of media is required to educate the public. This is the first ever expressway in Karnataka and a huge transformation of the road users is critical.
Building roads is only 30%-40% the story. User awareness and COMPLIANCE is even more critical and forms the rest of the story in a successful transport network. On an expressway where a split second inattention could result in a disaster while travelling at 100Km per hour, CHALTA HAI attitude will not work. One thing that is seriously lacking in our community is the SAFETY MINDSET. We have a long way to go.
Driving Tests and Vehicle Safety Checks are extremely critical. Each time the Driving Licence is renewed, people must undergo driving tests (including rigorous vision tests), even if it is a computer simulated test to check and confirm how they handle and respond to unexpected situations, lane changing, driving in wet weather, darkness, reading and compliance to road signs, etc. For example, the posted speed could be 100Km per hour during normal conditions and 90Km/hour when wet. In a simulated test if the driver encounters a situation of sudden rain while driving and doesn’t slow down to 90Km/hour, he should fail the test. Drink driving should be treated as criminal offence and must be jailed. Speed cameras at regular intervals are a must to enforce speed limits.
Our NIE and JCE must establish a ‘Centre for Road Safety” critically review and provide input to the development of road design from early stages based on international best practice. A multi disciplinary approach is required, be it road geometry, driver behaviour, vehicle safety, implementation of advanced digital technologies in monitoring traffic …. the list goes on.
There are no expressways/freeways in the world, which are 100% perfect. It is simply not possible to achieve it given so many constraints. Even if 80-90% is achieved, the other 10% can be refined in due course. Where it is impossible to eliminate the risks completely, the risks must be managed via control measures during operation.
………Continued from my previous comment
This expressway was badly needed for the growth and prosperity of Mysuru region, for that matter entire Karnataka. Growth and development of Commercial, major industrial and tourism related industries is heavily reliant on it. This project could not be delayed any further.
No expressway project is perfect. We can criticise even the Auto Bahns of Germany, Freeways in the Middle East and the USA if we examine them closely. All of them will invariably have some shortcomings.
There are always lessons learnt on any project. Honble’ Minister for Railways Sri. Ashwini Vaishnavji once said. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is a pilot project from which lots of lessons will be learnt which in turn will pave the way for better results on the various other forthcoming bullet train corridors in India. Same here, Mysuru Madikeri highway, Bengaluru-Pune expressway, Bengaluru-Vijayawada, Bengaluru-Chennai expressways will all benefit from the lessons learnt from Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway.
Let us laud the Government on this commendable achievement ie to have completed this great initiative amidst all hurdles, challenges, bottlenecks and seeing it through to the end and creating this major piece of infrastructure. This is going to be a game changer. No Government in the last 70 years neither had the vision nor the will to improve infrastructure in our Region. With all due respect to the author, I urge the community to see the positive side of this project by not letting perfect to be the enemy of the good.
Dear sir the ex planner has aptly out it in a very subtle way the shortcomings.
If the quality parameters are implemented on this path ( couldn’t call it expressway) it would fail in 90%of them.
One of the comments justified that the road was dure necessity for growth of Mysore and therefore all anomalies and quality issues may be dusted under the carpet but at what cost?
If we are comparing a year 2022 road with autobahns which are constructed decades ago ,we are sadly missing the learning curve . autobahns history shows that they corrected and designed with every new Autobahn but we have just called aj road expressway throwing all precautions to the wind as every Bali / death due to the quality issues have no value here
The way the filling is done by backhoes and tippers to an extent of 3 meters height at a time shows that the dilip construction has clout to flout every norms.
No wonder closed door meetings are being done with the contractor followed by Mr Gadkari coming down to mollify and let deaths prevail.
To correct this road will need another 75%cost of the construction
Sri Prasad , This is the best example of how comments should be. What is wrong, why, and how to rectify. You have already saved a few accidents, by your timely advice. Good health to you sir
Dear Prasad Ji,
You have made very good points, certainly quality cannot be compromised for sake of timelines
As per the growth of Mysore city, people should reach destination safely too only then the city will grow and prosper
Sir, in foreign countries, every highway and lane is marked with speed limit, and designated lane like truck lane, car lane etc, 80km, 100km, etc on the lane, here in India it is missing.
My first question to this VN Prasad, who once prattled in the SOM, with a multitude of points, is : ” has Prasad successfully designed, developed and implemented his design plan for any Highway in India? Looking at thge states of highway in India, which are poor in comparison to what one sees in Western countries, I do not think do.
My second question to this VN Prasad, is there is no point in posting this lengthy rant with many points in the SOM. If you are well recognised in your field, take these points to Mr Gadkari and those involved in the construction of this highway.
The very fact, you are posting your points here suggests, you are no that distinguished road designer at all. Save your time, and fade away.
These posters are nodding donkeys, and as for as this poster @Lakshman Prasad’s lengthy deluded rant suggesting NIE and JCE centres-where those academics have no experience of carrying out any real world civil engineering works, suggests he is just a small brain individual writing crap.
Hey posters, do not waste your breath giving examples of Germany autobahns, and US Intercity Highways. These are advanced countries where they care for the quality wjtever they do, and unlike India, do not have politicians and officials who award contractors to those from who, they can get 40% commission to their pockets. These are the countries, where one can stick an envelop /postage stamp using just a moisture, where as in India, it requires a glue!
Just wait until this highway comes into operation, and with a number of entrances from cities and towns along the way, this highway will be clogged with cars, moving at a snail’s pace, and will be inoperable!
It is not enough for this Gadkari to come and inspect in January 5, but essential that he visit every 6 months during the day, and see how this highway is functioning. He will discover then the pathetic condition of his project.
Travelled yesterday. Currently very good to travel, but when traffic increases lane width isn’t design to absorb some errors and provide safety. Lane width certainly should be more to be called expressway.
In fact, just reaching home after drive from Mysore to Bangalore I read the article.
1. First of all thanks to the Govt for providing an excellent highway for smooth travel.
2. Secondly thanks to the author for correctly mentioning the various points.
3. I feel people have to be cautious on overspeeding and sudden changing of lanes.
4. Heavy vehicles like trucks to be on the left lane only.
By and large, it was a smooth drive from mysore to bangalore. Thanks to Hon’ble Transport Minister for the wonderful project.
@Sanjeev and @Preman
If you have a few cells in your brains, you will realise that this is the fresh highway, not yet subjected to the massive traffic from Mysore-Bangalore or Bangalore-Mysore and other traffic entering and exiting at Ramanagara, Chennapatna and Mandya.
You see, when a donkey’s calf is born , it looks as beautiful as a horse ‘s calf, and give it a few months, then the real ugly donkey cal emerges!
Give the highway, just va few months. You will see the quality of material and works .
ಮಾನ್ಯ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ರವರೆ,
ಹೆತ್ತವರಿಗೆ ಹೆಗ್ಗಣ ಕೂಡ ಬಲು ಪ್ರೀತಿ…
ರಸ್ತೆ ಗುಣಮಟ್ಟ ಅಳೆಯಲು ಅಪಾರ ಙ್ನಾನ ಇಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಹ ಮೇಲ್ನೋಟಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು – ಮೈಸೂರು ರಸ್ತೆ ಅವ್ಯಙ್ನಾನಿಕ ಹಾಗೂ ಕಳಪೆ ಎಂದು ನಿರೂಪಿಸಬಲ್ಲೆ.. ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಪದರಗಳು ಬಿಡಿ, ನಾವೇನೂ ಅಷ್ಟು ತಿಳಿದವರಲ್ಲ… ರಸ್ತೆಯ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಳಸಿರುವ ವಸ್ತುಗಳೆ ಸಾಕು.
ಮದ್ದೂರು ಪ್ಲೈ ಓವರ್ ಇತ್ತಿಚೆಗೆ ಕಾರ್ಯರಂಭ ಮಾಡಿದೆ ಆಗಲೆ ಹಲವು ದೀಪಗಳು ಬೆಳಕು ನೀಡದೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕಳಪೆ ಗುಣಮಟ್ಟದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಾರಿ ಹೇಳುತಿದ್ದೆ.. ಇನ್ನೂ ಪೆನ್ಸಿಂಗಳು ಕೆಲವು ಕಡೆ ತುಕ್ಕು ಹಿಡಿದು ನಿಂತಿವೆ… ಪೂರ್ಣ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ರಸ್ತೆ ಆಗೊವರೆಗೂ ಅವು ಬಾಳಿಕೆ ಬರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ… ಇನ್ನೂ ಸೈನ್ ಬೊರ್ಡ್ಗಳು ಸಹ ಅಲ್ಲಲ್ಲಿ ಮನೊಸೊ ಇಚ್ಛೆ ಹಾಕಿ ನಂತರ ಕ್ರಾಸ್ ಮಾರ್ಕ್ ಹಾಕಲಾಗಿದೆ..
ಇಷ್ಟು ಸಾಕು ನಿಮ್ಮ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಹಾಡಿ ಹೋಗಳಲು
Importance of Driver’s responsibilities on High Speed Roads
Please click on the link below.
https://www.prajavani.net/india-news/not-wearing-seat-belt-claimed-16397-lives-in-road-accidents-in-2021-morth-1001424.html
Write -up is practical and technical.
Issue is, Govt is made of uneducated and corrupt politicians, they know nothing basics of
Engineering, cost, full of short-sighted views,
India wants to be a developed nation. While the money is there, vested interests deter us from getting there. Roads have to be built the first time right. I trust the British era bridges more than the recently built ones. But alas, there are no regular inspections and maintenance done on any. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Gone are the days when good old CPWD used to inspect them regularly. While government is focused on new projects, there is no maintenance on existing infra. Transparency is the key. They have to publish on websites how much maintenance is being on various infrastructure and the cost involved.
How dare you are Mr Prasad, when designated commentator (OUR M P) is there you shouldn’t have express your views
Hey@Khan
This is Mohammed from Mecca! Your Prophet!
What you have posted is ridiculing other posters. Ridicule is a sin under Islam. It appears that you have not read Quran.
I designate you as an Infidel, and will inform your Imam to taake severe action against you.
Hello @Nandaraj
“India wants to be a developed nation. While the money is there, vested interests deter us from getting there”
Really? It is a delusion that Indian politicians starting from the late Andul Kalam prattled. You need to read about the G& nations, the developed nations, an d why they are in the G7 group.
Hey Nangaraj, have you walked in the streets of Mysore? Have you seen the masses of stray dogs wandering around? Have you seen people urinating freely in the street corners, and where there is space defecating? Can you buy milk which is not adulterated or cooking oil which is pure?
Can you stick your postage stamp on an envelop with a bit of moisture only? Can you seal an envelop you buy with only a bit of moisture on the glue there? Lok at the number of people living in your country? 1.9 billion? How many of them get clean drinking water and have housing? The list grows.
Just because, India does cheap IT Techie work, cheap labour for Western countries, does not mean India is towards a developed status. Look at your INR, worth NOTHING in international terms. Look at your coins. Flimsy .
In British Raj, quality mattered, merit mattered. The materials used were good and engineers were well skilled. There was no nonsense of quaotas in education and jobs.
This highway will go the same way as the Mysore-Namnjangud highway-raod material peeling, pot holes , congested and toll gate operators demanding bribes.
You are a corrupt third world overpopulated country. That simple.
Hey @Manzoor
This is Mohammed from Mecca! Your Prophet.
Go back to your mosque and pray as recommended by Quran. Do not become an Infidel by posting here. It is not Islam.
Project at the outset is welcome one to bring all round development not only at Mysore but also at intervening towns like Mandya ,RAMANAGARA,CHANNAPATNA subject to providing access to these places.
Having used the expressway on few occasions,lots curves SOW SEEDs of Doubts about meticulous planning? was it reduce the expenditure ?as it was aligned with old road.The effectiveness has come down on account of this.Though the prescribed speed limit is 100kms/hour , I have seen cars zooming & crisscrossing above 150kms/hr.Vehicles are not adhering to the prescribed Lanes.There are no places in between for vehicles to stop or for refreshments which NHAI could have developed simultaneously.
Hope at the end of the day, corrections/improvements would be in place to make to pleasant & safe driving/journey.
Very good technical analysis. So helpful for all users. Thank you Sir.
Experiment and low quality at such a large. Scale for learning is not required.. Intelligence is trying the best to be of quality at the first go. Highways are designed for. Over about minimum. 50 yrs by various govt…
The new expressway ( if one wishes to call it) should have been 100% Greenfield project without criss-crossing existing 4 lane road. This would have provided opportunity to design roads in straight alignment without too many curves and would have made driving safer. Highway authority can think of allowing HTV only on service roads and leave main carriageway for LMVs.
After going through a detailed introduction and response.
Felt, it is too little too late.
I offer my serious response.
+Ve. There are many points worth pondering.
-Ve: The whole project is without a EIA or EMS.
~ Sugg: Climate Resilience in project, in materials, efforts to minimise impacts and pre planning considerations are essential.
Prof JV
Good inputs from Mr.Prasad. Additional, ideas like designated track for different class of vehicles.Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) every 10 kms, any violation penalty in next coming toll ( Violation/ Penalties on any vehicle, more than three times. No entry on that road) . Small gravel mixed with sand 3-6 feet width , on either side of roads for speed control or any break failure! My view!
Need to make entry to mysore ring road, at Columbia asia junction, signal free. Otherwise traffic will pile up on that signal and one has to wait for at least 3 to 4 signals in order to cross that.
Debris and stone spillage from trucks are one of the worst causes of road damage.
Heavy vehicle drivers must be educated, instructed or threatened at the toll booths to drive on the left.
What va load of wasteful comments, on a project which has only one aim-bring more tourists and immigrants to Myssore,. \the traffic in the other diection to Bangalore, will be from the entrances of Ramanagara, Chennapatna , Mandya so that these function as the commuting towns o Bangalore, to help the IT techies to carry put cheap labour in Bangalore IT sweatshops on outsourced work by Western companies. The above three places will have people populated so much that these numbers of cars from there entering the 10-lane highway will ensure that the highway is clogged up quickly.
I read the posts by posters who call themselves thinkers and professors, and had to laugh at their ignorance.
Hey posters, come back in 6 months time, and tell us the woes of the congestion, the snail pace of the traffic, the accidents, and toll gates corruption.
This is India.
There is going to be almighty congestion of cars, and reckless drivers speeding and the cars coming at entrances hurrying to join up the straight through traffic etc.. are bound to result in accidents, some very serious cases. mayhem happening in such instances.
Where are the facilities along the highway to handle such emergencies? specialist trauma centres? This is not West, where the population density is small and drivers behave rationally.
On 28 December 2022, on my way back from Mysore, while nearing the toll gate (not operational yet) one Audi car from extreme left suddenly swerved towards kerb lane and almost brushed my car.
I blocked the car on Toll gate and cautioned the person to maintain a sensible driving. He nodded, but again went all over the carriage way shifting lanes with nerve wrecking speed.
I thanked for a moment that India has strict gun control, unlike the USA.
Verry good information. Luck mme I found your blopg by accieent (stumbleupon).
I havee book-marked iit for later!
@Suresh
India has strict gun control? Ha,,ha…!! The people I know who are suspected of involved with criminal activities have all got guns!
That guy inAudi -to have that car, must be rich and easily would have shot you. It requires a wad of cash for your police as bribes to possess a gun.
You deluded Indians wallow in car culture. With no oil reserves, you import all of it from Russia, which the aworld abandoned today.
Hey @Suresh
We now know you have a car. I live in the West and do not have a car, although I can buy 4 of them.
Strict gun control in India? Have you read Javeed Nayeem, yes who porudly says :Javeed Nayeem MD? He boasted he had Walther PPK semiautomatic hand gun, still has and carries it? Reason, he is a fan of James Bond!
Wait until Mysore airport expansion brings in UAE-Mysore non-stop flights which Modi promised to UAE resident Keralite so called business man, who are currently smuggling gold through Kerala airport and want to expand their business to Mysore, as well as their Hawala channel money operations. Then see hoe many brandish guns!