Karnataka High Court disposes Bengaluru traffic congestion PIL

Karnataka HC disposed of Bengaluru traffic PIL, saying congestion must be tackled by authorities. Petition cited worsening rankings and urged flyovers

The Karnataka High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought judicial intervention to address Bengaluru’s worsening traffic congestion. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha, observed that the matter falls under the purview of executive authorities and should be handled by them rather than through judicial directions.

The PIL was filed by Bengaluru-based advocate AV Amarnathan, who highlighted the city’s rapid slide in global congestion rankings. Bengaluru was ranked sixth most congested city in 2023, third in 2024, and second in 2025, just behind Mexico City. The petition pointed to the daily struggles of commuters and cited examples of delays faced by prominent individuals, including cultural events disrupted due to traffic snarls.

Amarnathan argued that the problem cannot be solved merely by resurfacing roads. He suggested that smaller flyovers in key areas could ease congestion, but emphasized that such projects often face delays due to poor planning and execution. The petition also referred to public statements by political leaders acknowledging the severity of the issue, underscoring that even senior officials and their families are affected.

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The court, however, maintained that infrastructure planning and traffic management are responsibilities of the government and civic agencies. It expressed confidence that the concerned authorities would take steps deemed appropriate to mitigate the problem. 

With Bengaluru’s traffic congestion continuing to worsen year after year, the disposal of the PIL places the responsibility squarely on the state government and municipal bodies. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to intervene in matters of urban planning, leaving citizens to await concrete measures from policymakers to address one of the city’s most pressing challenges.

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