Sir,

With reference to the letter ‘Toll-free travel, thanks to many entry and exit points’ published in Star of Mysore on July 12, I have raised similar concerns in my previous letters in July 2023 (‘Direct entry to Expressway from service roads not safe’) and August 2023 (‘Concern over the safety of commuters on expressway’). These entry points could be exploited by highway robbers and used to avoid toll taxes.

Unfortunately, numerous entry and exit points still exist on this so-called access-controlled highway connecting Mysuru and Bengaluru. These numerous entry and exit points not only enable vehicle users to travel toll-free on an otherwise tolled road but also pose significant accident risks as vehicles are permitted to travel at speeds of 80-100 kmph on this highway.

Beyond the issue of toll evasion, there is a serious road safety risk, particularly when vehicles enter the highway from these points. If a vehicle enters from these points off the service road while another vehicle is travelling at 80-100 kmph in the extreme left lane, the risk of a collision is high.

Surprisingly, NHAI officials did not consider road safety while approving the many entry and exit points on this highway. Simply installing display boards before entry points is insufficient to mitigate the risk.

Also, these entry points allow two-and-three-wheelers, which are otherwise banned from entering the highway through toll gates, to access the highway. Additionally, similar to other highways, left-side overtaking is frequently seen on this highway due to slow-moving vehicles like lorries and buses occupying the extreme right-side lane. Hope, NHAI officials will address these issues to ensure safety of road users and prevent toll collection pilferage.

– Dr. SVN Vijayendra, Ex-Traffic Warden, Mysuru, Hyderabad, 15.7.2024

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