Last updated on February 24th, 2025 at 06:19 am
Bengaluru has earned the dubious distinction of being one of Asia’s most congested cities, according to the TomTom Traffic Index 2023. The Indian tech hub has a significant traffic problem, with residents spending an average of 28 minutes and 10 seconds to cover just 10 kilometers. This results in around 132 extra hours each year spent stuck in traffic, primarily during peak rush hours.
Global Traffic Rankings
Bengaluru ranks sixth globally in traffic congestion, as per the TomTom Traffic Index. The city has a congestion level of 63%, which implies that during peak traffic, the travel times are 63% longer than those in free-flowing traffic. The global ranking of cities reflects that London is the slowest, with an average travel time of 37 minutes and 20 seconds for every 10 kilometers. Other cities like Dublin, Toronto, Milan, and Lima are also on the list of congested cities.
Comparison with Other Indian Cities
Bengaluru is not an isolated case of having extreme traffic congestion in India. Pune ranks second, where drivers spend 27 minutes and 50 seconds for every 10 kilometers. This puts both Bengaluru and Pune among the most congested cities in the world, reflecting the larger traffic management challenges Indian cities face.
Effect on Commuters
The impact of Bengaluru’s traffic has directly affected the daily lives of people. With an average speed of just 18 km/h during rush hour, the city’s residents suffer from long travel times that not only tamper with their work-life balance but also reduce overall productivity. Furthermore, apart from wasting time, the town also poses a threat to its environmental setup as regarding high fuel consumption and increased CO2 emissions.
Efforts to Improve Traffic Management
Despite the ever-increasing population and urbanization, Bengaluru still faces immense challenges in terms of traffic management. Several efforts have been made to improve traffic management and develop infrastructure, but yet, the city has not achieved significant success. The city’s infrastructure growth cannot keep up with the sudden rise in population and vehicle count, which aggravates the congestion issue.
Bengaluru is among the most congested cities in Asia, which is a critical indicator of the need for enhanced traffic management solutions. Policymakers and city planners must enhance public transport options, road infrastructure, and control systems to minimize the impact of congestion. In India, where cities are rapidly growing, it will be imperative to address the issues of traffic congestion to sustain economic productivity and enhance the quality of life of the residents.