Bikes, Auto Rickshaws Banned On Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway From August 1?

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has issued a notification stating that bikes, auto rickshaws, tractors, multi-axle hydraulic, and non-motorised vehicles will be banned from using the main lanes of the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway starting from August 1. The expressway is specifically designed for high-speed vehicles, and light and slow-moving vehicles will now have to use the service lanes built along the expressway, as directed by NHAI officials in a statement to Times of India.

To ensure compliance, the NHAI will be installing signboards in the future, guiding light and slow-moving vehicles to utilize the service lanes.

Recently, the ADGP (Traffic and Road Safety) conducted an inspection of parts of the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, focusing on the enforcement of the speed limit. During this visit, he interacted with the traffic police deployed on the expressway responsible for enforcing the speed limit. Alok, the ADGP, expressed his concern that vehicles traveling at less than 60 kmph could also pose risks of accidents on the expressway.

The speed limit of 80 to 100 kmph was introduced in June after the ADGP's initial inspection, as overspeeding was identified as a major cause of the increasing number of accidents.

The Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway is a 10-lane access-controlled expressway, spanning 118 km, designed to reduce travel time between the two cities. It connects Kengeri in Bengaluru and Manipal Hospital Junction in Mysuru. With the speed limit in place, vehicles are required to follow the designated speed range while commuting on the expressway.

According to recent traffic department data, over 2,000 vehicles were booked for overspeeding on the expressway within just four weeks of implementing the speed limit.

Since its inauguration in March, more than 570 accidents have occurred on the expressway, resulting in the loss of around 100 lives and injuring 350 people. In response to these incidents, the police imposed a speed limit of 100 kmph to address the growing safety concerns on the expressway.