OUR REPORTER SAT INSIDE THE INTERCEPTOR

OUR REPORTER SAT INSIDE THE INTERCEPTOR
Some motorists crossed 115 kmph on the Electronics City flyover on the opening day — far above the 80-kmph limit set by the traffic cops
SRIDHAR VIVAN & DURGESH KUMAR Y


The wait was finally over and Bangaloreans finally got a chance to step on the gas pedal. As soon as Union Transport Minister Kamal Nath inaugurated the Electronics City flyover around 5 pm on Friday and Chief Minister Yeddyurappa’s convoy made the maiden trip on it, the waiting motorists, giving two hoots to the warnings of Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security) Praveen Sood against over-speeding, hit the tarmac and breached the 80-km speed limit.
Since the drive was toll-free on the inaugural day, the flyover was filled with vehicles within moments of its opening. Bangalore Mirror did a reality check from inside an interceptor vehicle parked near the lay-bye on the exact speed the vehicles were travelling on the flyover. And the results were shocking. Leading the pack was a car at 115 kmph and a bike at 116 kmph. The average speed of the motorists during the first hour after the opening of the flyover was not less than 90 kmph!
According to experts, it was a dangerous move, as the flyover has a sharp turn mid-way and negotiating it at high speeds can be fatal.
COPS TAKE OFFENCE
Meanwhile, those who indulged in over-speeding on the flyover can soon expect a challan, as the traffic cops are offended. They have taken note of the offending vehicles through the interceprtor and are planning to penalise the owners.
“We have identified the vehicles and will soon issue challans,” they said.
Meanwhile, officials said there will be no toll for using the flyover till next week, as the work on the toll plaza is yet to be completed.