18.2 km in 2 hours, 14 minutes! Bengaluru’s traffic crisis deepens as commuters face gridlock

Bengaluru’s traffic woes continue to worsen, with Sarjapur Road emerging as one of the city’s most congested stretches, turning everyday commutes into agonizing slogs. A recent two-wheeler journey of 18.2 km took a staggering 2 hours and 14 minutes, highlighting just how broken the system has become.

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18.2 km took 2hr 14mins in two wheeler 🥲🥲#traffic

— Harmeet singh (@SardarHarmeet6)

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18.2 km took 2hr 14mins in two wheeler 🥲🥲#traffic

— Harmeet singh (@SardarHarmeet6) July 16, 2025

">July 16, 2025

For many residents, traffic congestion is no longer just a nuisance but a daily mental and physical strain.

Also Read: EaseMyTrip co-founder offers ₹1 crore to support Bengaluru traffic solutions

Commuters have voiced frustration over the lack of meaningful interventions. While carpooling apps like Quick Ride and bike taxis like Rapido face bans, no viable public transport alternatives have been scaled up. Experts argue that paid company-run buses could ease pressure, but there has been little action from corporates. Many see this as deliberate apathy, with auto and cab drivers seen as a political vote bank and tech firms unwilling to challenge the status quo.

One commuter reported burning 3.2 litres of petrol to crawl 3.3 km in 45 minutes, underscoring both the environmental and economic cost. Residents demand that the government acquire land along narrow stretches to widen key roads like Sarjapur, but progress has been slow.

Despite lofty talk of AI and smart cities, Bengaluru’s transport reality remains stuck in first gear, leaving citizens to navigate chaos with no clear end in sight.