EaseMyTrip co-founder shares update on Bengaluru traffic project to ease jams

India Today

6 days ago

Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, who earlier pledged Rs 1 crore to help fix Bengaluru's traffic woes, has shared a major update on the initiative.In a post on July 24, Pitti said he is confident of improving Bengaluru traffic by 25–30% within a year using artificial intelligence, Google Maps data, satellite imagery, and large-scale collaboration with public and private stakeholders.advertisementEarlier this month, Pitti announced the initiative on X, calling it the 'Bangalore Traffic Project.' Within just ten days, he met senior officials from Bengaluru Traffic Police, BBMP, City Police, the Google team, professors from IISc, scientists, road engineers, and entrepreneurs working on traffic solutions.
'All three newly appointed commissioners were very kind to invite me to showcase existing capabilities and collaborate to work together. For the first time we are bringing all key public and private players - to the same table,' Pitti said in his post.Among the first set of projects underway are traffic simulation models that can process millions of re-routing options based on real-time data from platforms like Uber, Ola, Rapido, and Google. Some of these companies have already agreed to share their data. The goal is to predict gridlocks before they happen and take corrective steps in advance to avoid traffic chaos.Another component is upgrading the existing government app used to report potholes.'I will take ownership of that app, to increase its scope (report illegal parking, broken signal, wrong side driving, water logging, broken vehicle, etc). I will also increase accountability and recognition by showcasing all the complaints lodged AND action-taken (along with time-stamp) publicly,' he added.
Pitti is also working on a hyperlocal rain prediction system to help authorities plan road maintenance more efficiently. 'The government starts infrastructure work, and then it rains on that stretch, halting everything,' he explained. This new tool could also assist in fixing drainage issues before they escalate.A pilot project is already testing "Green Wave Signals"—a system to sync traffic lights so that vehicles can move in waves instead of stopping at every junction. If the pilot succeeds, the concept may be rolled out citywide.Responding to those who argue that Bengaluru's traffic issues stem from infrastructure problems, Pitti said, 'If we keep waiting for better infra, we'll always be catching up with the West. There's plenty we can do to optimise what already exists.'He concluded with a call to action, asking citizens to join a WhatsApp community where they can report major traffic trouble spots. 'The more support we get, the more people and institutions we can bring in. I'm in it for the long haul. Are you?'- EndsMust Watch