Despite multiple safety interventions, a dangerous trend is emerging on a key section of the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway. While one part of the expressway shows improvement, another has witnessed a alarming spike in accidents, reaching a record high since its inauguration.
Official Data Reveals a Troubling Divide
Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi presented revealing data in the state legislative council, responding to a question by Mandya MLC Madhu G Madegowda. The figures paint a contrasting picture for the two segments of the highway.
The 61.2-kilometer stretch from Nidaghatta to Mysuru has become a major concern. By November 2025, this section had already recorded 293 accidents, marking the highest number since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the road in March 2023. The count was 278 in 2023 and saw a dip to 238 in 2024 before surging again.
In stark contrast, the 56.1-kilometer segment between Bengaluru and Nidaghatta shows a consistent decline. Accidents here fell from 345 in 2023 to 310 in 2024, and further down to 210 by 2025.
Local Concerns and Official Acknowledgment
Residents and officials point to specific infrastructural gaps contributing to the danger on the Nidaghatta-Mysuru corridor. Locals like Rajendra HS from Mandya highlight persistent issues despite the road being access-controlled.
"The fences are damaged in many places, allowing people to enter the road illegally or bring prohibited vehicles like two-wheelers," he said. "Many stretches still lack proper lighting at night. The concerned agencies must address these issues urgently alongside toll collection."
MLC Madhu Madegowda echoed the need for swift action. "There is an urgent need to implement various corrective measures like Rail Under Bridges (RUBs), and properly designed entry and exit points announced for the Nidaghatta-Mysuru section," he stated. He attributed the improvement on the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta stretch to better monitoring and interventions.
Fatalities and the District-Wide Trend
The human cost of these accidents remains grave. The total deaths on the entire Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in 2025 stood at 51, compared to 54 in 2024. A significant reduction is seen from 2023, which recorded 110 fatalities.
Providing a district-level perspective, Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baldandi noted a declining trend in accidents within Mandya district. The district reported 146 accidents with 58 deaths in 2023, which reduced to 110 accidents and 33 fatalities later. In 2025, 98 accidents on the highway in Mandya have claimed 32 lives so far.
The data underscores a critical need for targeted safety enhancements. While improved monitoring has yielded positive results on one half of the expressway, the rising accidents on the other half demand immediate and specific infrastructural remedies to prevent further loss of life.
