Karnataka's National Highways Claim 558 Lives in Three Years Amid Safety Crisis
Stretches of national highways traversing the districts of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, and Mandya in Karnataka have transformed into perilous death traps, primarily due to rampant speeding and widespread driver negligence. Despite a noticeable downward trend in accident numbers, official data reveals a grim toll: between the financial years 2022-23 and 2024-25, road accidents on these vital corridors claimed a staggering 558 lives.
Official Data Highlights Alarming Fatality Statistics
Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi provided these distressing figures in response to a query raised by Mysuru-Mandya MLC Madhu G Madegowda. The data underscores a persistent public safety emergency across multiple national highways that serve these four districts.
The major national highways implicated include:
- NH 75 (passing through Mandya, Hassan, and Mysuru)
- NH 209 (Mandya and Chamarajanagar)
- NH 766 (Mandya and Chamarajanagar)
- NH 275 (Mysuru and Mandya)
- NH 275K (Mysuru ring road)
- NH 150A (Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar)
- NH 181 (Chamarajanagar)
- NH 69 (Hassan)
- NH 73 (Hassan)
- NH 373 (Mysuru and Hassan)
District-Wise Highway Lengths and Accident Breakdown
Among the four districts, Mysuru possesses the longest stretch of national highways at 349 kilometers, followed closely by Hassan with 338 kilometers. Mandya accounts for 271 kilometers, while Chamarajanagar has 202 kilometers of these critical roadways.
The annual accident data paints a harrowing picture:
In 2022-23: A total of 741 accidents were reported across nine national highways, resulting in 210 fatalities and 664 injuries. The most dangerous stretch was NH 275 in Mysuru district, which alone witnessed 480 accidents claiming 112 lives.
In 2023-24: The total number of accidents decreased marginally to 717, but still caused 169 deaths and left 655 people injured. Once again, NH 275 in Mysuru recorded the highest accident count with 485 incidents, leading to 105 fatalities.
In 2024-25: Accidents further reduced to 648, yet the human cost remained devastating with 179 deaths and 582 injuries. NH 275 in Mysuru continued its deadly trend, reporting 430 accidents and 104 lives lost.
Identification of Black Spots and Activist Concerns
Minister Jarkiholi further disclosed that authorities have identified 112 black spots along these highway stretches, with Mysuru district alone accounting for 34 of these high-risk locations. These black spots represent areas where accidents frequently occur, necessitating immediate intervention.
Local activists have sounded alarms, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures on national highways in Chamarajanagar district. Particular concern has been raised about the highway connecting the district to Kerala, where safety parameters remain critically inadequate.
"Accidents between Begur and Gundlupet are increasing by the day. Heavy vehicles are often let off even when drivers are found violating safety norms. The police and transport department must address these issues with greater seriousness," stated M Mahesh, a social activist from Begur.
This persistent crisis highlights systemic failures in road safety enforcement and infrastructure maintenance. While the gradual reduction in accident numbers offers a glimmer of hope, the continuing high fatality rate demands comprehensive strategies, including stricter speed enforcement, improved road engineering at black spots, and heightened driver accountability to prevent further loss of life on Karnataka's national highways.
