28 minutes, 10 seconds to travel just 10 kilometers! Bengaluru most traffic-congested city!

Bengaluru has earned a troubling distinction as one of Asia’s most traffic-congested cities, according to the TomTom Traffic Index 2023. The report reveals that drivers in the city take an average of 28 minutes and 10 seconds to travel just 10 kilometers, highlighting severe congestion issues. This equates to an additional 132 hours spent annually in traffic during peak hours.

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Despite its status as a global technology hub, Bengaluru continues to struggle with traffic woes exacerbated by rapid urban growth and a booming population. The city’s existing infrastructure has been unable to keep pace with rising vehicle numbers, resulting in chronic road congestion that surpasses most Asian cities.

Bengaluru ranks worse than Pune, which holds the second spot with an average travel time of 27 minutes and 50 seconds for 10 kilometers. Other cities such as Manila in the Philippines and Taichung in Taiwan follow closely with times of 27 minutes and 20 seconds, and 26 minutes and 50 seconds, respectively.

The TomTom Traffic Index evaluated 387 cities across 55 countries, offering insights not just into travel times but also into fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Policymakers and urban planners are urged to use this data to devise effective strategies to combat congestion.

On a global scale, London holds the dubious honor of being the slowest city for driving, with an average travel time of 37 minutes and 20 seconds for 10 kilometers.

In a bid to address Bengaluru’s persistent traffic challenges, the city’s Traffic Police unveiled a redesigned website on Friday. The new platform, available atbtp.karnataka.gov.in, offers improved navigation, a modern interface, and enhanced features to streamline traffic-related services, officials said.

While digital initiatives are a step forward, the city faces an uphill battle to ease congestion and improve the daily commute for its residents.