[Turbo_Lawyer]

The Bangalore - Nidaghatta stretch of the Expressway, which is around 56 kms, will mostly be open to the public by July.

https://twitter.com/mepratap/status/...mQsr4vAmAYXqsw

Mysore MP Pratap Simha has shared a video detailing the recent developments of the expressway. Hopefully, we get to cruise on it by Dusshera.

[balenoed_]

Isn't it a little too high?

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Isn't it a little too high

Yes, it is. But in the parallel universe that government departments operate in, it seems to be par for the course. Even Pune- Mumbai expressway toll is INR 250+ (don't know the most recent number exactly) for a 95 km e-way.

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Even Pune- Mumbai expressway toll is INR 250+ (don't know the most recent number exactly) for a 95 km e-way.

While I too agree the MPEW is overpriced, that is still an engineering marvel as the road had to be built on hills with tunnels etc., so costs must have been much higher.

Not so much for this expressway, though cost of land acquisition might be on the higher side here.

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Isn't it a little too high?

Attachment 2318572

Compared to what BETL and NICE charge, I think it is not :-)
It is another discussion if connectivity between cities need to be tolled on top of road taxes.

The completed stretches are done very nicely, smooth tarmac with good banking.
IF, and a big IF, people drive sanely on this road, the fuel, time saved and driving stress avoided would more than compensate for the charges.

[Turbohead]

Originally Posted by whitewing

.
The completed stretches are done very nicely, smooth tarmac with good banking.

So there are no speed breakers? So hard to believe! I had earlier kept pace with the fact that Karnataka and speed breakers were a match made in heaven.

Any signs of posted speed limits and speed cameras?

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

So there are no speed breakers? So hard to believe! I had earlier kept pace with the fact that Karnataka and speed breakers were a match made in heaven.

Any signs of posted speed limits and speed cameras?

:-) for now no speed breaker on the newly laid road.
Since the road is still under construction, lane markings and signage are not put up.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Turbohead

So there are no speed breakers? So hard to believe! I had earlier kept pace with the fact that Karnataka and speed breakers were a match made in heaven.

Any signs of posted speed limits and speed cameras?

I recollect, a decade ago, there were about 150 speed breakers (literally counted on my trip to Ooty) between Bangalore and Mysore 140 kms stretch.
Recent years, it was reduced and many barricades was kept.

With the new road, if they start adding speed breakers, it is back to square one. Then it will be impossible to say this distance can be covered in 75 minutes.

I really hope the local villagers don't add unscientific speed breakers in ad-hoc way as their business will be impacted when vehicles bypass the town. Fingers crossed!

-Ravi

[condor]

Originally Posted by ravib

I really hope the local villagers don't add unscientific speed breakers in adhoc way as their business will be impacted bypass the town. Fingers crossed!

Arent expressways, unlike highways, barricaded at the sides ? And this expressway is by-passing all these towns.

Btw, I kind of remember that 150 count

[ravib]

Originally Posted by condor

Arent expressways, unlike highways, barricaded at the sides ? And this expressway is by-passing all these towns.

Btw, I kind of remember that 150 count

The last i drove in this route was back in Nov 2021. Not sure about current status, but what i recollect is, definitely yes, the roads are much wider, and there are many bridges. And for few towns there was a bypass. But i don't recollect or saw all the towns are totally bypassed. Not really to best of my knowledge. Regulars in this route can confirm which towns are bypassed and which are not, where bridges are constructed. I recollect in Maddur i saw only bridges, not bypass if my memory serves right.

Looking forward to hear updates from our bhpian friends.

-Ravi

[jkrishnakj]

With this highway already being in decent shape, I wonder why people still use the Kanakpura road and stress themselves out.

I see more traffic and stress on K’Pura road than the regular highway, more so, over the weekends.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by condor

Arent expressways, unlike highways, barricaded at the sides ? And this expressway is by-passing all these towns.

Originally Posted by ravib

Regulars in this route can confirm which towns are bypassed and which are not, where bridges are constructed. I recollect in Maddur i saw only bridges, not bypass if my memory serves right.

I am regular on this route and traveled last weekend as well.

Wherever the road work is complete, it is barricaded with exits to service road only at certain distances. All the 6 towns (Bidadi, Ramanagara, Channapattana, Maddur, Mandya, Srirangapatana) are bypassed.

The construction work is massive, modern and on par with any expressways and hence will be secured. I don't think the locals would be in a position to encroach it. Very unlikely any illegal speed humps can come up on this stretch.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

I am regular on this route and traveled last weekend as well.

Wherever the road work is complete, it is barricaded with exits to service road only at certain distances. All the 6 towns (Bidadi, Ramanagara, Channapattana, Maddur, Mandya, Srirangapatana) are bypassed.

The construction work is massive, modern and on par with any expressways and hence will be secured. I don't think the locals would be in a position to encroach it. Very unlikely any illegal speed humps can come up on this stretch.

Great. Thank you. That's a very promising update and hope it stays that way.
Then in that case, we may be missing Kamat Lokaruchi and few other popular eateries, if the travel time is just 75 minutes?

For the record, i am not including Bangalore city traffic - I am just counting from atleast R.R.Nagar to SriRangapatna.

-Ravi

[ampere]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

The construction work is massive, modern and on par with any expressways and hence will be secured. I don't think the locals would be in a position to encroach it. Very unlikely any illegal speed humps can come up on this stretch.

I guess the bypasses are yet to completed. I see on maps : Maddur, Ramnagar, Mandya, Bidadi : in the works. Also I see Ramngara and Channapatna bypassed in one shot.

EDIT: Am also curious to see how the authorities will logically conclude on the NICE read clover leaf section of the express way!

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by ampere

I guess the bypasses are yet to completed. I see on maps : Maddur, Ramnagar, Mandya, Bidadi : in the works. Also I see Ramngara and Channapatna bypassed in one shot.

Yes, I meant, will be bypassed, not yet.

Couple of videos from last weekend drive, towards Bangalore:

Channapattana - Ramanagara has the longest of the stretch that is open for traffic:

http://youtu.be/0gPTNbm3He0

http://youtu.be/_Bs34fU2xkA

Toll both area after Bidadi, still under construction:

http://youtu.be/bjmnhwVqd9E