Zoom to Nelamangala from Yeshwanthpur

Zoom to Nelamangala from Yeshwanthpur
AMIT S. UPADHYE
DC | BENGALURU


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SIX-LANE EXPRESSWAY LIKELY TO BE THROWN OPEN ON AUGUST 15, WORK ON 2 TOLL GATES COMPLETED

The 19.1 km long expressway which will allow motorists to drive without a stop from Yeshwanthpur to Nelamangala, will be opened for traffic in the next two weeks.
If officials at the work site are to be believed, the sixlane expressway will be thrown open on August 15.

Except for the two overbridges, where the final phase of work is on, the rest of the expressway is almost ready for traffic.

The expressway will be a boon for those who do not need to stop at Jalahalli on their way to Tumkur and beyond. With most buses and other passenger vehicles left with no option but to stop at Jalahalli to pick passengers, it’s still uncertain which category of vehicles will pay the toll and use the expressway.On Sunday, a

lane of the expressway was opened for traffic movement with several vehicle owners making the best of the opportunity to enjoy a ride on it.
The work on two toll gates has been completed and sign boards are being erected at

necessary points.
“We are confident about opening the expressway on Independence Day. For the first one month, toll will not be charged on any vehicle.

The new road is expected to reduce the travel time

between the city and Nelamangala. During peak hours, the travel time between Nelamangala and the city stretches close to 90 minutes due to traffic congestion," said an official from the National Highway Authority of India.
The new expressway itself may not be enough to solve the problems on the ground, feel traffic experts. “There is an urgent need to create a bus bay at Jalahalli which could ease traffic movement

on National Highway No. 4.
With no bus bay available, all the buses moving to almost 22 districts of the state, not to mention city and private buses, have to stop on the highway itself along with city and other private buses.

The expressway will benefit those who want to drive straight to Tumkur, but as far as traffic congestion in and around Peenya is concerned, it may not be the solution,” said a traffic expert.

The traffic police too are apprehensive about the traffic congestion likely to occur at certain points once the expressway is opened to traffic. Deputy commissioner of police, West, (traffic) P.H. Rane said the department is keeping a close watch on the traffic movement at Goraguntepalya junction. This is to make sure that vehicles moving from the expressway, do not impede regular traffic on the highway, the officer said.

◗ Total Length of thesix-lane expressway – 19.1km. It will be opened for traffic from August 15.
◗ Once opened the expressway aims to decongest Peenya and allow vehicles to reach Nelamangala faster than usual.

◗ Police are planning alteration in road engineering so that the traffic from the expressway does not hamper the traffic moving on regular lanes.