Facilities to include parking, toilets, food courts, EV charging and vehicle repair services

Mysuru: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 8.5 acres of land near Channapatna along the Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway to set up wayside amenities for commuters.

NHAI officials told Star of Mysore this morning that the land is Government-owned and the process has begun to transfer it to the NHAI, rather than acquiring it from private landowners.

The Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru South has identified around 8.5 acres of suitable Government land for the project and submitted the proposal to the NHAI, he said.

Ever since 119-km Highway was inaugurated in 2023, the absence of proper wayside amenities has remained a major gap. Despite clear policies and identification of locations, implementation has not progressed at the required pace.

Travellers and commercial drivers continue to depend on fuel stations, roadside eateries and unorganised parking areas. Most drivers are forced to rely on petrol bunks or hotels for basic needs such as toilets, rest and food. This is neither adequate nor safe.

Under the national framework, wayside amenities are expected to include parking zones, clean toilets, drinking water, dormitories, fuel stations, EV charging points, food courts, first-aid services and minor vehicle repair facilities.

The absence of organised rest areas contributes to driver fatigue and unsafe parking practices.

“When drivers do not have designated rest points, they stop along the roadside, increasing the risk of accidents. Proper facilities are not just about comfort, they are critical for road safety,” commuters noted.

Facilities at the earliest

Bengaluru Rural BJP Lok Sabha Member Dr. C.N. Manjunath said last week that Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had assured him that wayside amenities would be set up along the Highway at the earliest.

Dr. Manjunath, who met Gadkari in New Delhi, said the facilities would include a Channapatna Toys Park and a Silk Museum to support local communities.

The Minister has approved the land acquisition as recommended by the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru South and directed officials to expedite the acquisition and implementation process, Dr. Manjunath said.

The proposed Toys Park aims to strengthen Channapatna’s renowned wooden toy industry by supporting traditional artisans, generating employment and reinforcing the region’s identity as ‘Gombe Naadu’.

The Silk Museum will showcase Karnataka’s sericulture heritage and benefit silk farmers, reelers and other stakeholders from Ramanagara and surrounding taluks, while promoting tourism and value addition in the silk industry.

The wayside amenities are expected to provide world-class facilities for commuters on the expressway, ensuring safer, more convenient and comfortable travel, he added.