Stuck For 2 Hours, EaseMyTrip Co-Founder Pledges Rs 1 Crore To Fix Bengaluru Traffic

News18

14-07-2025

Last Updated:
EaseMyTrip co-founder, Prashant Pitti, pledged Rs 1 crore to address what he calls Bengaluru's 'choke-points' using Google Maps and artificial intelligence (AI).
What's the cost of sitting in Bengaluru traffic for more than two hours to cover just 11 km? For most, it is probably a rant or a meme. For Prashant Pitti, it became a turning point.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the EaseMyTrip co-founder pledged Rs 1 crore to address what he calls Bengaluru's 'choke-points" using Google Maps and artificial intelligence (AI).
'I am committing INR 1 Cr to find Bangalore Choke-Points via Google Maps & AI. 11 km → 2.15 hours in Bangalore Traffic on Saturday late night! I was stuck at one choke-point at ORR (One Ring Road), where I spent 100 mins struggling to understand why there is no traffic light or cop here! But I don't want one more 'Bengaluru Traffic Memes or Rant'. I WANT TO FIX IT," he wrote.
A key part of the plan is a tool launched in April 2025 – Google Maps' Road Management Insight, which offers detailed, city-level traffic data in BigQuery format.
'Using Google Data and Satellite Imagery, we can list down all the choke-points & their exact timings in a month. For the traffic department to work on those areas specifically," Prashant further added.
Not only that, he further stated that he would be funding 1–2 senior AI/ML engineers for this, along with the cost of Google Maps API calls, GPU credits and satellite tools.
'Using Google Data and Satellite Imagery, we can list down all the choke-points & their exact timings in a month. For the traffic department to work on those areas specifically."
But there's a condition. According to Prashant, the project will only move ahead if the Bangalore Traffic Police or BBMP agree to open their raw traffic data feeds or API access and assign a team willing to act on the insights.
'I will start this project when BTP/BBMP: Open their raw feeds or API access AND names a team, committed to acting on the insights we generate," the post stated.
He also made a direct appeal for public support. Those who know someone in the relevant government departments are urged to tag them. AI/ML professionals interested to 'end the menace" can contribute part-time.
'Bengalore is India's tech future; and people making it happen deserve MUCH better," he concluded.
Take a look at his post here:
Prashant's call to fix Bangalore's traffic caught attention online as people showed enthusiasm and wanted to be part of the solution.
One user commented, 'I am interested to work. I was thinking about this from long time but never took any initiatives. But happy to see that you have planned this. I am happy to be part of AI/ML team."
Another added, 'Hey Prashant, interested in contributing."
'Hats off to you for this cracking initiative! I'm no AI/ML whiz, but I can definitely lend a hand with those meetings with Bengaluru Traffic Police and BBMP," someone else said.
'This is awesome! Traffic in Bangalore feels like a never-ending game of 'Where's Waldo?" with choke-points. Count me in on the noise-making! Let's get them to act," read another comment.
While Prashant is pushing for data-driven solutions, earlier in March, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar outlined plans for major infrastructure projects like double-decker flyovers, tunnels, buffer roads and elevated corridors to tackle Bengaluru's traffic woes.
First Published:
July 14, 2025, 17:17 IST
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