BENGALURU: The new expressway connecting Bengaluru and Mysuru that promises to help motorists reach any of the two cities within 90 minutes is gearing up to ban two-wheelers from its main carriageway.
Sources in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) told TOI that a proposal to ban these types of vehicles for safety reasons is under consideration.
"Two-wheelers, three-wheelers and agricultural vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the access-controlled part of the highway. The service roads, however, can be used by vehicles banned from the main portion of the expressway, if and when the proposal gets approved," an NHAI official said.
News of the approval will be confirmed when the same is published in the government's gazette notification list. But political sources also hinted that the ban is likely. "Two-wheelers, autorickshaws and cycles are being allowed at the moment. They will only be stopped after the official notification is published," the official added.
The average speed of vehicles on the access-controlled portion of the expressway, or NH-275, is between 120kmph and 140kmph. Pratap Simha, MP representing Mysuru constituency, said trucks should move on the extreme left lane and the middle lanes should be used by cars going above 80kmph. "The right-most lane should be kept free for overtaking. Instead, trucks are moving on the right. Hence, it is getting difficult for cars to overtake. Road discipline and civic sense is lacking on the expressway. About three days ago, a vehicle going at high speed hit the median, jumped to the other side of the road, and five people died on the spot. Ensuring road safety is of utmost importance to us," he said.
Nanda Kishore, a software engineer and biking enthusiast, said he will support the ban if it is enacted. "I used the expressway a week back and touched 120kmph with my Royal Enfield. The road is smooth and wide, but if a car happens to break down in front of a speeding two-wheeler, then the biker might lose control while trying to apply brakes. The brakes of a motorbike are not as strong as those of a car or four-wheeler. So, safety is a serious concern on that roadway. I would like to use the expressway to ride my bike, but it is too risky at the same time," he said.
