Growing Safety Concerns at Mysuru's Varuna Junction Spark Demand for Infrastructure Improvements
In the Varuna assembly segment of Mysuru, public outcry has intensified for the immediate construction of a service road and installation of a traffic signal near Varuna lake on the T Narasipur–Mysuru Road. This demand follows a disturbing rise in accidents and fatalities on this critical stretch, highlighting urgent safety deficiencies.
A Notorious Black Spot with Alarming Statistics
Varuna Junction on the Mysuru–T Narasipura Road has earned the grim designation of a black spot due to a significant surge in vehicular traffic and recurrent accidents. Over the past year alone, seven accidents have been officially reported at this junction, resulting in two tragic fatalities and injuries to several other individuals. The junction serves as a vital convergence point, handling an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles daily on the NH-766 stretch.
Critical Connectivity and Root Causes of Accidents
This junction is a major hub, connecting three important roads leading to:
- Suttur, one of Karnataka's prominent religious centres.
- T Narasipura, Kollegal, Hanur, and MM Hills.
- The highway also provides a crucial link for travellers headed towards the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Authorities and residents have identified several key factors contributing to the high accident rate:
- Complete lack of traffic signals to regulate the flow of vehicles from multiple directions.
- Significant delays in constructing essential service roads and road humps.
- Absence of accident-prone zone display boards to warn drivers.
- The convergence of heavy traffic from Suttur, T Narasipur, and Mysuru creates a chaotic and dangerous intersection.
Public and Official Testimonies Highlight Systemic Failures
Uma, a garment factory worker from Varuna, highlighted an additional hazard. "With authorities failing to construct bus shelters either at the Varuna village entry point or at the junction, commuters waiting or alighting on the roadside have also been involved in accidents," she stated, underscoring the neglect of basic pedestrian infrastructure.
SI Sadashiva Thippareddy from the Varuna police station confirmed that both the police and the district road transport authority have identified the junction as a black spot. "We recommended that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) implement safety measures, but no work has begun. Though police laid blinkers, accidents continued," he lamented, pointing to a lack of effective action despite official recognition of the problem.
Echoing these concerns, Congress leader Varuna Mahesh noted that residents have repeatedly petitioned the police and district administration. Their demands include a service road parallel to the Varuna Tank bund, a functional bus shelter, and the installation of traffic signals alongside other critical safety measures, given the relentless rise in accidents.
NHAI's Response and Proposed Action Plan
In response to the mounting pressure, Assistant Engineer (NHAI) Koushik acknowledged the recurring accidents, attributing them to the junction's complex connectivity from three different directions. He assured that the authority is committed to addressing the issue. "We will prepare an action plan for another service road and initiate work on a bus shelter, road humps, and other necessary safety measures," Koushik stated, offering a glimmer of hope for long-awaited infrastructural improvements.
The situation at Varuna Junction remains a pressing public safety issue in Mysuru, demanding swift and comprehensive intervention from highway authorities to prevent further loss of life and ensure safer travel for thousands of daily commuters.
