New Delhi: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has prohibited several categories of slow-moving and vulnerable vehicles, including two-wheelers and tractors, from using the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway (NE-07), citing road safety concerns on the high-speed corridor.

In a gazette notification published on December 26, NHAI said the four-lane, fully access-controlled expressway—currently under development—has been designed for high-speed traffic, with notified speed limits ranging between 80 kmph and 120 kmph. Allowing slow-moving vehicles on the corridor could pose serious safety risks due to speed differentials, the authority noted.

The Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway begins at its junction with NH-75 near Hoskote in Karnataka, passes through Malur, Bangarpet and Bethamangala in Karnataka; Baireddipalle, Palamaner and Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh; and Gudipala, Ponnai, Sholinghur, Walajapettai, Arakkonam, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu, before terminating near Sriperumbudur, close to the old NH-4. NHAI also pointed out that adequate alternative routes are available for local and regional traffic.

Vehicles Barred from NE-07

Under powers granted by The Control of National Highways (Land and Traffic) Act, 2002, the following vehicle categories have been barred from using the expressway:

• Motorcycles, including scooters and other two-wheelers

• Three-wheelers, including e-carts and e-rickshaws

• Non-motorised vehicles

• Agricultural tractors, with or without trailers

• Multi-axle hydraulic trailer vehicles

• Quadricycles

The move aims to ensure safer and smoother movement of high-speed traffic on the expressway while diverting slower vehicles to existing alternative routes. DeshGujarat