Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: The 2024 TomTom Traffic Index has once again highlighted Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion, ranking it as the world’s third slowest city for vehicular movement. Surpassed only by Barranquilla in Colombia and Kolkata in India, Bengaluru’s average travel time for a 10-kilometer distance now stands at 30 minutes and 10 seconds, an increase of 50 seconds from 2023.
Key Findings of the TomTom Traffic Index
•Bengaluru’s Ranking: The city is the second slowest in India, after Kolkata, which recorded an average travel time of 34 minutes and 33 seconds for a 10-kilometer journey.
•Global Comparison: Barranquilla took the global lead with a staggering 36 minutes and six seconds for the same distance.
•Other Indian Cities: Pune emerged as a new entrant, ranking fourth globally in traffic congestion.
Bengaluru’s traffic conditions have progressively worsened, with the average travel time increasing from 28 minutes and 10 seconds in 2023 to over 30 minutes in 2024. The city’s average speed in 2022 was just 18 km/h, the slowest among Indian cities.
Global Traffic Snapshot
London retained its title as the world’s most congested city, with an average speed of 14 km/h. Other cities like Dublin, Milan, Lima, and Toronto also reported average speeds lower than Bengaluru, highlighting a global struggle with urban traffic congestion.
Rising Traffic Burden in Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s traffic woes are compounded by the city’s ever-increasing number of private vehicles. Currently, there are approximately 2.5 million private cars on its roads, surpassing New Delhi in vehicle numbers. With nearly 2,000 new registrations daily, the city’s infrastructure continues to face immense pressure, exacerbating its reputation for severe traffic jams.
Efforts and Challenges
Despite various initiatives to improve public transportation and reduce congestion, Bengaluru’s traffic management remains a significant challenge. The rising number of private vehicles and insufficient road infrastructure contribute to the city’s ongoing traffic crisis, impacting daily commutes and overall productivity.
