Bangalore to Mysore in just 90 minutes

Bangalore to Mysore in just 90 minutes
The Times of India

Bangalore: For those who’ve been spending about four hours everyday in the clogged Bangalore-Mysore traffic, there is good news: By June, the ancient state highway will be transformed into the fastest means of travel between the two metros.

Road-widening work on the 141-km state highway has been progressing at a fast pace, with the project slated for completion a full six months ahead of schedule. And the road, designed to take vehicles at 100 kmph, will reduce travel time between Bangalore and Mysore to a mere 90 minutes.

Presently, the quickest way to travel between the two cities is by an express train, which takes two-and-a-half hours.

“With the time span lesser on our road, we are anticipating a huge jump in traffic from the present 40,000 passenger carrying units (PCUs). People from Mandya, Channapatna and Ramanagaram are expected to prefer our road to rail, when they come to Bangalore daily for work,’’ Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDC) managing director M.R. Kamble told The Times of India.

The four lane road has already been designed to carry 60,000 vehicles, which are expected to ply on this road by 2012. Once the traffic crosses this number, the government has the option of adding two more lanes.

Alternate routes, including the ongoing doubling of the Bangalore-Mysore railway line and the proposed upgradation of the route via Kanakapura will take care of some of the burgeoning traffic. The private Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) is expected to take the heavy truck traffic.

There are also plans to upgrade stretches of road within Mandya, Channapatna and Ramanagaram towns which are causing road blocks. “Detailed project reports have been prepared for upgradation. We are also studying the possibility of building bypasses for all the three towns to ensure smooth, endless flow,’’ Kamble outlined.

ON THE FAST TRACK


•141 km road will be completed by June-end
•Travel time between Bangalore and Mysore will come down to 90 minutes.
•Road designed to carry 60,000 vehicles.
•All 123 curves straightened, several eliminated
•Road and rail over bridges will be completed by 2005-end
•Upgradation of road stretches within Ramanagaram, Channapatna and Mandya towns are on the cards.
•Bypasses for all three towns being studied.