When the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway was opened in March 2023, it quickly became a life saver for people helping them to reduce their travel time in significant numbers. The expressway was constructed utilising modern technologies and offers a smooth and fast travel experience from Bengaluru to Mysuru.
However, there was a significant rise in the number of accidents and NHAI had recently deployed a team of experts to assess the safety concerns. The panel had personally visited all the identified sites to evaluate the situation.
Now, the NHAI has issued a notification citing concerns about the safety of slower-moving vehicles like bikes, autos, tractors, non-motorized vehicles, and others. As per the notification, the movement of high speed vehicles are a huge threat against the slower-moving vehicles.
As a result, the NHAI has used its authority granted by section 35 of “The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act 2002” to issue an order, prohibiting around six categories of vehicles from using the expressway.
These include vehicles such as two wheelers, three wheelers (including e-carts and e-rickshaws), non-motorized vehicles, tractors with or without trailers, multi-axle hydraulic trailer vehicles and quadri-cycles.
The access controlled highway has been developed as a high-speed corridor between the two cities and the maximum speed limits for vehicles was set to 100 km/h. Traffic police were also enforced to monitor the speed of incoming traffic.
The banned vehicles can use the service road constructed along the expressway. Additionally, sign boards will be placed to remind the travellers. Since inauguration, over 300 road accidents on the expressway were reported and more than 100 people have lost their lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway in March this year. The 119-km long expressway was constructed with a total expenditure of approximately ₹8,480 crore.
This initiative should be considered as NHAI’s move towards enhancing safety and ensuring a smoother traffic flow. It’s understandable that high-speed vehicles could pose risks to slower-moving vehicles like bikes, autos, tractors, and non-motorized vehicles.
With this ban, the NHAI expects to reduce the chances of accidents and create a safer environment for all road users. As long as it leads to improved safety and traffic management, it could be a positive step in making the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway even more efficient and traveller-friendly.
