Citizens raise concerns over increasing lane violations on Bengaluru-Mysuru highway

Accidents and lane violations are becoming more frequent on the Bengaluru-Mysuru motorable highway. Citizens are voicing their concerns on social media. In one of the incidents, a bus driver of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was driving on the wrong side.

Police officials said several road accidents had been reported on the stretch due to driving on the wrong side, lane changing and speeding.

On the morning of June 22, a KSRTC bus was observed travelling in the wrong lane. Shreyas Belur, a social media user, documented the incident and brought attention to the driver’s reckless behaviour. KSRTC then confirmed that an official complaint had been lodged.

“The bus driver wanted to avoid paying the toll. We have issued a notice to this effect and the driver will face disciplinary action,” said R. Venugopal, Divisional Controller, Bengaluru Central Division, KSRTC.

The Bengaluru Central Division has filed an FIR on the incident. When asked about the increase in the number of accidents, Alok Kumar, Deputy Director General of Police (Education, Traffic and Road Safety) said that thanks to increased awareness, the cases are being registered and there is no rise in cases. He stressed that the police’s vigilance instills confidence in the public and encourages them to register and report traffic violations.

“In fact, the number of deaths on these roads has dropped significantly. It has dropped to single digits – three this month, as opposed to previous months when over 20 deaths were reported each month,” he said.