The Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) on Tuesday announced that the ban on two-wheelers on the Airport Road and Electronics City elevated corridors has been temporarily put on hold after the pilot implementation led to congestion and traffic conflicts at diversion points.
The BTP has instead decided to implement vehicle restrictions on the two corridors in a phased manner. Last week, it announced restrictions on different categories of vehicles on five major elevated corridors in the city to improve road safety and traffic flow.
The restrictions on four flyovers, excluding the Electronics City Elevated Expressway, came into effect on September 4. A preliminary assessment found traffic movement on the BGS Flyover, Peenya Flyover and Double Decker Flyover to be smooth.
Longer queues and severe congestion
On the Airport Road Elevated Corridor between Sanjeevininagar Cross and Vidyashilpa Junction, the simultaneous diversion of goods vehicles, two-wheelers, and autorickshaws at the approach ramps led to long queues and severe congestion. The diversions also affected traffic flow on adjoining surface roads. While the restrictions were introduced to reduce accidents on these key flyovers, congestion on at-grade roads increased significantly.
As a result, the BTP said restrictions on goods vehicles on the Airport Road Elevated Corridor will continue during the notified hours in the first phase, while two-wheelers and autorickshaws will continue to be allowed on the corridor for now.
Two-wheeler advisory
The BTP has advised two-wheeler riders to predominantly use the leftmost lane, maintain lane discipline, avoid unsafe overtaking, and adhere to the prescribed speed limit of 60 kmph.
A similar phased approach will be adopted on the Electronics City Elevated Corridor from September 11. In the first phase, restrictions on goods vehicles will be enforced, while two-wheelers will continue to be permitted.
The two-wheeler restrictions will be introduced subsequently in a calibrated manner based on traffic flow, road-safety conditions, operational feasibility at approach ramps, and the impact on adjoining roads, the BTP said in a release.