At least 120 fatal accidents were reported on the link and peripheral roads of Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), developed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd. (NICE) since the first 9.2 km section opened for traffic on June 16, 2007.
The NICE corridor comprises a 41 km-long peripheral road (Hosur Road – Tumkur Road) and a 9.5 km-long link road between PES College junction and Somapur bridge.
“Fifty-one persons were killed in various sections of the link and peripheral roads since 2009,” Sudhakar Hegde, Chief Security Officer, NICE, told The Hindu on Friday. In most of the cases, over-speeding and violation of traffic rules led to the accidents, he said. Four people, the latest being engineering student Sushmita Patil, have been killed in four accidents this year.
“The BMIC roads are completely access controlled and the entire corridor is grade separated. The link and peripheral roads are as safe as they can be,” said Mr. Hegde, who is a former Superintendent of Police. The company runs 14 vehicles to monitor vehicular movement. Besides, it operates two ambulances and tow-trucks, said Bhyroji Rao Shindhe, senior security officer, NICE.
However, commuters complained that the link and peripheral roads were not as safe as claimed by the company. On an average, at least 10 vehicles break down daily are left on the road. Also, buffaloes, cows and donkeys from nearby villages roam around the area.
Though the BMIC claims that the entire corridor is grade-separated, vehicles often violate one-way rules, said Pramod Meddannanavar, a software engineer.
“NICE security officials and ambulances are not seen during emergencies. I have been using this road since 2007. I have not seen security personnel on the road not even once,” he added.
The City police, meanwhile, alleged that NICE authorities had turned a blind eye to commuters' safety. A large number of youngsters drag race on the road on their bikes and cars.
They drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Accidents occur due to reckless riding/driving, poor lighting and illegal parking along the road, a senior police officer said.
