Bengaluru: Residents of Karnataka’s capital are once again voicing strong frustration over the city’s worsening traffic snarls, as average speeds during peak hours have plummeted to a dismal 5.5 km per hour — scarcely faster than a brisk walk.
Social media has erupted with criticism, with users describing endless gridlocks, poor traffic management, and a growing sense of exhaustion among commuters.
One user posted a screenshot of his GPS showing a staggering 31-minute journey to cover just 2.8 kilometres. “Welcome to Bengaluru where you’re literally better off walking. Traffic cops are glued to their phones, ignoring jammed junctions,” the caption read. The post quickly gathered thousands of views and dozens of likes.
Responses poured in. “You wouldn’t even be better off walking, because there aren’t any footpaths left,” one person commented. Another shared a viral meme: “Buying a vehicle in Bangalore qualifies for a housing loan — it’s an immovable asset.”
Others noted the irony of sidewalks being dug up, leaving pedestrians with no safe option either.
This traffic nightmare has intensified after the government enforced a statewide ban on bike taxis, which once provided a convenient, low-cost alternative to private cars. Experts and citizens have criticised the move, pointing out that it has led to more private vehicles and auto-rickshaw demand, worsening congestion further.
With no immediate solution in sight, many Bengaluru residents are resigned to hours-long daily commutes and mounting urban fatigue