Bengaluru’s infamous traffic congestion continues to make waves globally. According to the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index, Bengaluru has secured the third spot among the world’s slowest cities in terms of traffic flow, just behind Barranquilla and Kolkata. TomTom, a leading Dutch location technology firm, publishes an annual report assessing traffic conditions in major cities worldwide, and this year, Bengaluru finds itself ranked among the most traffic-challenged cities.

Bengaluru's Traffic Woes: What the TomTom Traffic Index Reveals?

The TomTom report shows that on average, it now takes commuters 30 minutes and 10 seconds to travel just 10 kilometers in Bengaluru. This marks a 50-second increase from last year. By comparison, Barranquilla, Colombia, tops the list with an average travel time of 36 minutes and 6 seconds, followed by Kolkata at 34 minutes and 33 seconds. Interestingly, Pune has entered the rankings this year, securing the fourth position for the slowest traffic flow worldwide.

Within India, the report highlights Kolkata as the country’s most congested city, while Bengaluru ranks second. In 2023, it took about 28 minutes and 10 seconds for Bengaluru’s commuters to cover 10 kilometers, up slightly from 29 minutes and 9 seconds in 2022. The city’s average speed last year was 18 km/h, the slowest among Indian cities.

Bengaluru’s Traffic Situation in a Global Context

Globally, London remains the most congested city, with an average speed of 14 km/h. Other cities like Dublin (16 km/h), Milan (17 km/h), Lima (17 km/h), and Toronto (18 km/h) also reported slower average speeds than Bengaluru, shedding light on the widespread issue of urban traffic congestion.

The Growing Vehicle Population

Bengaluru’s traffic problems are further aggravated by its rapidly increasing number of private vehicles. The city has overtaken New Delhi in private car ownership, contributing significantly to the gridlock. With approximately 2.5 million private cars on the road, Bengaluru continues to struggle with its traffic crisis. On top of that, nearly 2,000 new vehicles are registered every day, further putting pressure on the city’s infrastructure.

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Bengaluru's traffic problems are not just a local issue, they reflect a broader global challenge faced by many rapidly growing urban centers. As the city expands, addressing its congestion issues will be critical to maintaining its quality of life and economic productivity.