Bikes, autorickshaws, tractors banned on Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway from today

RAMANAGARA: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is taking various measures to reduce the number of accidents on the six-lane ‘fully access controlled’ Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway. From today, certain types of vehicles including two-wheelers and three-wheelers have been restricted on the express highway.

Two-wheelers, autos and tractors are allowed to move only on the service roads from today, and if they violate the rules, they will be heavily fined.

The NHAI has issued new rules to reduce the number of fatal accident cases on the expressway. The decision was taken after the increasing number of accidents involving bikes and three-wheelers.

The movement of high speed vehicles may pose risk to the safety of certain classes of comparatively slow-moving vehicles e.g. two-wheelers, three-wheelers and other slow-moving vehicles like non-motorised vehicles, agricultural tractors (with or without trailers) due to their vulnerability and associated speed differentials and compromise the road safety aspects, the NHAI said.

Those violating the rules will be fined Rs 500. Under Section 35 of ‘The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002’, the following classes of vehicles are prohibited from using the Bengaluru-Mysuru Access Controlled Highway (NH-275):

(1) Motorcycles (including scooters and other-wheelers)

(2) Three wheelers (including e-carts and e-rickshaws)

(3) Non-motorised vehicles

(4) Tractors: Special with or without trailers

(5) Multi-axle hydraulic trailer vehicles

(6) Quadricycles

Vehicle insurance will not applicable in the case of an accident involving restricted vehicles plying on the highway. The police will also keep watch at nine entry and exit points in the Ramanagara area. The new rule has been implemented under the National Highway Regulation Act, 2002.

Also, a speed limit has been set for vehicles plying on the expressway at 80-100 km per hour. Motorists must follow lane discipline, use seat belt and adhere to speed limits. The police will also strictly check for drunk driving.

Two- and three-wheelers have been directed to use the service road, but in many places, it is in pathetic condition. In some places, the service road has not yet been properly laid at at some other places, there is waterlogging on the road as there is not proper drainage. Night travel is also difficult due to lack of streetlights on the highway. The police department has also written a letter to the NHAI to fix all the shortcomings.