Bengaluru Traffic Edges Down In Global Rankings, But Still India's Most Congested City

Bengaluru saw a minor improvement in traffic congestion according to the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index, dropping from second most congested city globally to the sixth position. However, it remains the most congested city in India, highlighting ongoing challenges.

Despite the ranking shift, the average travel time in Bengaluru still stands at 28 minutes and 10 seconds for a 10-kilometer journey, slightly faster than 2022's 29 minutes and 9 seconds. The average speed of 18kmph also remains the slowest among Indian cities.

Bengaluru now holds the dubious title of having the highest number of private vehicles in India, even surpassing Delhi. With 23 lakh cars and nearly 2,000 new registrations daily, the sheer volume exacerbates traffic issues.

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar recognized the strain on infrastructure, calling it "a herculean task" to maintain roads with such a surge in vehicles. He mentioned plans for white-topping, a technique promising longer road life, as a potential solution.

The report also highlights the significant economic cost of congestion. Traffic delays, lost time, fuel waste, and other factors lead to an estimated annual loss of Rs 19,725 crore for Bengaluru, as per research by traffic expert MN Sreehari.