Bengaluru Flyovers Restrict Bikes And Autos As Traffic Congestion Grows

Bengaluru commuters are facing fresh traffic problems after the city traffic police introduced vehicle restrictions on four major flyovers. The move is aimed at reducing accidents and improving road safety, but the decision has already triggered frustration among motorists who say the diversions are adding pressure to surrounding roads.

The restrictions came into effect from Friday morning on the BGS Flyover on Mysuru Road, the Peenya Flyover, the flyover on International Airport Road between Sanjeevnagar Cross and Vidyavihar Junction, and the double decker flyover connecting Silk Board with Ragigudda.

The Electronics City Flyover is also set to come under the restrictions from September 11.

Traffic officials have defended the decision as a safety measure. With accident concerns growing on some of Bengaluru’s busy elevated roads, authorities believe limiting certain categories of vehicles could help make traffic movement safer and easier to control.

However, the immediate reaction from many commuters has been far from positive. Riders who regularly depend on flyovers say they are now being forced to take longer routes. This has increased the number of vehicles using service roads and alternative stretches, leading to heavier traffic at several points.

The International Airport Road flyover has the strictest restriction among the four locations. Two wheelers have been completely prohibited from using this flyover. Auto rickshaws have also been restricted on some of the affected flyovers.

Heavy trucks and other goods carrying vehicles will not be permitted during peak traffic hours under the new arrangements. The restrictions are intended to reduce conflicts between different types of vehicles and improve the overall flow on the elevated stretches.

The decision has particularly upset two wheeler users, who form a significant part of Bengaluru’s daily traffic. Riders argue that a blanket restriction does not consider the differences between various types of two wheelers.

One regular user of the International Airport Road flyover questioned whether the authorities should have considered engine capacity before introducing the restriction. According to him, high powered motorcycles may behave differently from electric scooters and smaller two wheelers, and a single rule for all bikes could create difficulties for ordinary commuters.

Auto drivers have also raised concerns about the new arrangement. With flyovers no longer available on some routes, they expect journeys to take longer and fuel expenses to increase. For drivers who make several trips every day, even a small increase in travel distance can affect their daily earnings.

Commuters generally agree that steps are needed to control accidents. Their main concern is the lack of convenient alternatives. Several riders have suggested improving service roads and providing better diversion routes before introducing restrictions that affect large numbers of road users.

The issue becomes more significant considering the large number of people who depend on two wheelers and auto rickshaws in Bengaluru. When these vehicles are diverted from flyovers, the additional traffic does not disappear. Instead, it moves onto other roads, potentially creating fresh bottlenecks.

Traffic police have already started creating awareness about the new rules. Banners have been placed near the affected flyovers, while personnel are using loudspeakers to inform motorists about the restrictions and alternative routes.

Officials are also monitoring the flyovers to prevent vehicles covered by the restrictions from entering. The enforcement effort requires personnel to remain on duty during different periods of the day, adding to the workload of the traffic police.

A senior traffic official said additional staff would be required to enforce the restrictions effectively. For now, police are focusing on informing motorists while also stopping restricted vehicles from using the affected flyovers.

The changes come at a time when Bengaluru’s traffic remains a daily challenge for commuters. Even before the new rules, several major roads regularly experienced slow movement during busy hours. The diversion of two wheelers and autos could therefore have a noticeable effect on nearby roads.

The police decision is expected to remain under close observation as commuters adjust to the new arrangements. If congestion continues to rise on alternative routes, motorists are likely to seek changes or additional measures from the traffic authorities.

For now, the situation reflects a familiar challenge in Bengaluru. Measures introduced to improve safety on one road can sometimes create pressure elsewhere when suitable alternatives are limited. The success of the latest flyover restrictions will ultimately depend not only on enforcement but also on how effectively traffic is managed across the surrounding road network.