In 2019, the Transport Engineering Lab of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) issued critical recommendations aimed at enhancing safety measures to prevent accidents on the Yeshwantpur flyover. Despite these recommendations, only the installation of rumblers to control vehicle speed has been implemented to date.
The IISc study identified significant flaws in the flyover’s design, specifically citing the sharp horizontal curvature that poses risks for heavy vehicles. The study emphasized that the nearly 90-degree turn increases the centrifugal force on vehicles as speed increases, greatly elevating the risk of accidents.
Ashish Verma from the Department of Civil Engineering at IISc, who oversaw the 2019 study, pointed out that their recommendations included raising the height of crash barriers to at least 2 meters, among other safety enhancements. However, Mr. Verma noted that, apart from the rumblers, other proposed measures remain unaddressed.
In a recent accident on Tuesday, a speeding car lost control at the hazardous curve, colliding with the road median and a motorcycle in the opposite lane. The vehicle then soared over the substandard crash barrier, which measures less than 1 meter in height, resulting in a fall. Experts indicate that a higher crash barrier could have potentially prevented this outcome.
M.N. Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Bengaluru, reported that there have been eight accidents at this location on the flyover since 2020, including two fatal incidents. He confirmed plans for an in-depth study of the area to implement the necessary safety improvements.
