NHAI improves road safety at two accident-prone junctions on NH-44 in Bengaluru

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented road safety improvements at two accident-prone junctions, Byatarayanapura and Kodigehalli, along Ballari Road (NH-44) in Bengaluru, to reduce road accidents and improve pedestrian safety.

The two junctions in north Bengaluru were identified as recurring accident blackspots. According to the Bengaluru Traffic Police Road Safety Report 2019–2023, Byatarayanapura recorded 11 fatalities, while Kodigehalli reported six during the period. Pedestrians accounted for approximately 30% of the deaths.

“The improvements include around 133 metres of safe pedestrian crossings, 240 square metres of pedestrian refuge areas along highway medians and between the national highway and service roads, and 1,600 square metres of newly developed footpaths,” the NHAI release stated.

“Speed-calming measures, road markings, road studs and safety signage have also been installed to improve visibility, regulate vehicle speeds and promote safer road use,” the release added.

The works were undertaken in coordination with the Bengaluru Traffic Police, Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited, with technical support from WRI India under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety and Compartment S4.

The NHAI stated that Karnataka recorded 4,278 fatalities on National Highways in 2024, while Bengaluru reported 793 road deaths, including 140 on National Highway stretches.