Latest news with #Anucheth
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bengaluru won, fans didn't. Courtesy city's classic congestion
RCB finally popped the champagne on their 18-year IPL title drought, but the party's missing one key ingredient. The trophy's home, the fans are dancing, but the iconic victory parade? Still on snooze, courtesy Bengaluru's infrastructure. There will be no open-top bus parade to celebrate RCB's IPL title win, as city policy cited traffic and logistical concerns in line with official policy. The police have advised the public to avoid the Central Business District (CBD) area from 3 PM to 8 PM as they anticipate heavy traffic and congestion. Commuters have also been urged to use Metro and other public transport options as parking in and around the stadium is limited. ALSO READ: RCB victory parade cancelled thanks to Bengaluru's nagging problem. But you can still meet victorious Kohli & crew — blrcitytraffic (@blrcitytraffic) The advisory came hours ahead of the felicitation function, in what was expected to be a grand public celebration for RCB's first-ever IPL title. The team will be felicitated at M Chinnaswamy Stadium today, but the latest development casts a long shadow over the state of infrastructure in India's Silicon Valley — sparking tough questions about whether Bengaluru is equipped to handle celebrations of this scale. ALSO READ: Bengaluru's traffic nightmare isn't just a meme: Nikhil Kamath asks if VIPs are above the law, Police explain why it's getting worse Live Events What is the problem? Bengaluru was ready to celebrate its champions with a vibrant red-and-gold victory parade on Wednesday, but heavy traffic put a damper on the festivities. City congestion issues have long been a headache, with prominent voices like Nikhil Kamath and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw frequently highlighting the urgent need for better infrastructure. Today, Bengaluru has one of the highest vehicle densities in the country. 'Bangalore has 1.23 crore registered vehicles for a population of 1.5 crore; that's 872 vehicles per 1,000 people, more than Mumbai or Delhi!', Joint CP,Traffic, Bengaluru, IPS MN Anucheth in a conversation with Nikhil Kamath. That number has doubled in a decade. Between 2013 and 2023, the compounded annual growth rate of vehicles in the city was 8 percent. Meanwhile, the roads stayed largely the same. Anucheth explained how the tech boom transformed Bengaluru. 'The thing with Bengaluru has been that post-2000 after the IT boom, there has been a significant explosive growth and the infrastructure has not commensurately grown with the growth of vehicles or the human population,' he said. Bengaluru traffic: A running joke online For many, Bengaluru's traffic has become a running joke online. But behind the memes lies a daily grind: hours spent in bottlenecks, especially during office hours. The city currently ranks third in the TomTom Traffic Index. On average, it takes over 34 minutes to travel just 10 kilometres. The reasons, however, are not just about too many cars. Anucheth highlighted structural flaws: 'Unlike cities like Delhi that have dedicated terminals for trucks, Bengaluru lacks a proper peripheral road network. As a result, heavy goods vehicles often enter city roads, clogging up main junctions and flyovers.' Then there's the rain. 'Waterlogging has been a major factor every monsoon in Bangalore that creates major traffic issues. The drainage infrastructure is outdated which is making things worse for commuters and also impossible for traffic police to manage,' he added. 'Even god can't fix Bengaluru roads' "Even if god were to descend and walk on Bengaluru roads, nothing can be done in within the next one, two or three years," Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said earlier this year. Historically, Bengaluru has struggled with limited public transport options. Before the arrival of the metro, the city relied almost exclusively on BMTC buses, unlike other major cities—Kolkata boasts trams, Delhi has an extensive metro network, and Mumbai is served by its iconic local trains. Bengaluru's public transport system has long lagged behind these urban centers. A long-term hope Bengaluru is grappling with a challenge rooted in its own success. A booming population. A spiralling number of vehicles. And infrastructure playing catch-up. While public transport is the long game, Anucheth did mention immediate interventions. 'In the short term, measures like implementation of AI based signals, technology implementation (will work),' he said. 'The long-term solution to Bengaluru's problems are public transport. Whether it's K-Ride, suburban trains or it is a metro – whatever it is. I think that's the way to go forward.'
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Bengaluru's traffic problem overstated because of bad PR: Nikhil Kamath
Bengaluru is getting a disproportionate rap for its traffic because of bad PR, said celebrity entrepreneur and co-founder of Zerodha, Nikhil Kamath, in the latest episode of his podcast 'WTF is' Kamath had a freewheeling chat with B Dayananda, Commissioner of Police (CP), and M N Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP), Traffic, in his podcast, which is available on Spotify. The video of the interaction is also posted on Kamath's official YouTube page. Noting that whenever he says anything good about Bengaluru, he is always confronted with traffic, traffic, traffic, Kamath asked the JCP if there is a solution to the traffic problem in Bengaluru. "I also think that the problem is overstated because I don't know, bad PR? Maybe we have not done a good job of telling our story," said Kamath. Anucheth agreed that the amount of criticism Bengaluru is getting is disproportionate to the problem at hand. "I think every major metropolitan city across the world faces the issue of traffic because, let's face it, cities are magnets for employment. The thing with Bengaluru has been that post-2000, after the IT boom, there has been explosive growth, and the infrastructure has not commensurately grown with the growth of vehicles or the population," added Anucheth. According to him, Bengaluru has the highest number of vehicles per 1,000 people in India. "It's 872 per 1,000 population. So, we have a 1.5 crore population with 1.23 crore vehicles. We also doubled between 2013 and 2023 in terms of vehicle growth ratein 2013, it was 56 lakh, and in 2023, it was 1.12 crore. With that kind of growth rate, infrastructure will never be enough," said Anucheth. He also pointed out that historically, Bengaluru lacked public transport facilities. "The only public transport facilities before the Metro came were BMTC busesunlike other cities like Kolkata, which had trams, or Mumbai, which has the Mumbai local," said Anucheth. He said things will improve a lot once the ongoing public infrastructure projects are completed. "The long-term solution to Bengaluru's problems is public transport, whether it's KRIDE suburban trains or the Metro increasing its fleet. I think that's the way forward," said the JCP Traffic. He also agreed that implementation is taking more time than planned. "But when it falls into place, you will see a change. For example, when the Outer Ring Road line opens for the Metro, not only will the Metro be available, but also the carriage space, which is reduced because of the ongoing Metro work, will open up. I mean, Bengaluru will get the entire 10-lane road to drive on," said Anucheth. He said until then, the city will have to make do with short-term measures like the implementation of AI-based signal technology, junction redesign, and some traffic engineering, which is being done on a day-to-day basis.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's traffic problem overstated because of bad PR: Entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath
Bengaluru, Bengaluru is getting a 'disproportionate' rap for its traffic because of 'bad PR', said celebrity entrepreneur and co-founder of Zerodha, Nikhil Kamath, in the latest episode of his podcast 'WTF is…' Kamath had a freewheeling chat with B Dayananda, Commissioner of Police , and M N Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police , Traffic, in his podcast, which is available on Spotify. The video of the interaction is also posted on Kamath's official YouTube page. Noting that whenever he says anything good about Bengaluru, he is always confronted with 'traffic, traffic, traffic', Kamath asked the JCP if there is a solution to the traffic problem in Bengaluru. "I also think that the problem is overstated because… I don't know, bad PR? Maybe we have not done a good job of telling our story," said Kamath. Anucheth agreed that the amount of criticism Bengaluru is getting is disproportionate to the problem at hand. "I think every major metropolitan city across the world faces the issue of traffic because, let's face it, cities are magnets for employment. The thing with Bengaluru has been that post-2000, after the IT boom, there has been explosive growth, and the infrastructure has not commensurately grown with the growth of vehicles or the population," added Anucheth. According to him, Bengaluru has the highest number of vehicles per 1,000 people in India. "It's 872 per 1,000 population. So, we have a 1.5 crore population with 1.23 crore vehicles. We also doubled between 2013 and 2023 in terms of vehicle growth rate—in 2013, it was 56 lakh, and in 2023, it was 1.12 crore. With that kind of growth rate, infrastructure will never be enough," said Anucheth. He also pointed out that historically, Bengaluru lacked public transport facilities. "The only public transport facilities before the Metro came were BMTC buses—unlike other cities like Kolkata, which had trams, or Mumbai, which has the Mumbai local," said Anucheth. He said things will improve a lot once the ongoing public infrastructure projects are completed. "The long-term solution to Bengaluru's problems is public transport, whether it's KRIDE suburban trains or the Metro increasing its fleet. I think that's the way forward," said the JCP Traffic. He also agreed that implementation is taking more time than planned. "But when it falls into place, you will see a change. For example, when the Outer Ring Road line opens for the Metro, not only will the Metro be available, but also the carriage space, which is reduced because of the ongoing Metro work, will open up. I mean, Bengaluru will get the entire 10-lane road to drive on," said Anucheth. He said until then, the city will have to make do with short-term measures like the implementation of AI-based signal technology, junction redesign, and some traffic engineering, which is being done on a day-to-day basis.
News18
13-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Tired Of Traffic Talk, Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath Meets Bengaluru Top Cops For Answers
Last Updated: Bengaluru Traffic Police Commissioner MN Anucheth explained that the city's unplanned growth following the IT boom has led to a traffic crisis. Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, tired of hearing constant complaints about Bengaluru's traffic, decided to go straight to the top. He met with Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and Traffic Police Commissioner MN Anucheth to understand the root of the problem. During his WTF Podcast, Kamath said, 'Wherever I go and tell good things about Bengaluru, people tell me, 'traffic, traffic, traffic.' What is the problem? What is the solution? Is there a solution?" Commissioner Anucheth explained that the traffic issue is mainly due to the city's unplanned growth after the IT boom. Unlike other major cities, Bengaluru didn't have a proper public transport system for a long time, and the metro came in only recently. He also pointed out that the city has a much higher number of vehicles compared to Mumbai or Delhi. Commissioner MN Anucheth replied, 'I think every major metropolitan city across the world faces the issue of traffic. Because, let's face it, cities are magnets or attractive places for employment. It attracts a lot of people. Year on year, a city grows. The thing with Bengaluru has been that post 2000, after the IT boom, there has been a significant explosive growth, and the infrastructure has not commensurately grown with the growth of vehicles or the human population. Now, Bengaluru has the highest number of vehicles, it's 872 per 1000 population. So, we havea 1.5 crore population with 1.23 crore vehicle population. We doubled between 2013 and 2023. It was 56 lakhs, it became 1.12 crores." 'So, if you see that kind of growth rate, infrastructure will never be enough. So, with that in mind, the government had planned for various public transportation systems to come up." Anucheth believes the only real solution lies in improving public transport, as the city still depends heavily on BMTC buses. 'Historically, Bengaluru has had this problem of lack of public transport facilities. The only public transport facilities before the metro came in was the BMTC buses. Unlike other cities like Kolkata, you had the trams. In Delhi, you had the metro. In Mumbai, you had the Mumbai locals, which is not the case here," the officer added. Nikhil Kamath shared his frustration about the slow metro work near his home, saying construction began nearly a decade ago but is still unfinished. He questioned whether public infrastructure is just too hard to manage or if someone is at fault. Commissioner Anucheth replied that it's not about blame. He said that without ongoing efforts, traffic would be far worse. Linking Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield metro lines, for example, cut peak-hour traffic by 17%. He added that while metro expansion takes time, it's the key to long-term relief. In the short term, authorities are using AI traffic signals, redesigning junctions, and applying engineering fixes to ease flow. First Published: May 13, 2025, 17:44 IST
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Bengaluru's Traffic Crisis: A Deep Dive With Police Officials And Zerodha's Kamath
"Whenever people hear me praise Bengaluru, they immediately counter with: traffic, traffic, traffic," remarked Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, capturing the sentiment of millions. In his podcast 'WTF Is', Kamath recently engaged in a frank, data-driven conversation with Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and Joint Commissioner (Traffic) MN Anucheth about the city's most notorious problem—its gridlocked streets. The discussion revealed a metropolis struggling to manage its own rapid growth, with no quick fixes in sight. Following the IT boom after 2000, Bengaluru experienced explosive growth that its infrastructure simply couldn't match," explained Anucheth. The statistics tell a sobering story: Bengaluru now hosts over 1.23 crore registered vehicles serving a population of approximately 1.5 crore—translating to 872 vehicles per 1,000 residents. This density surpasses both Mumbai and Delhi. More alarming is that this figure has doubled within just a decade, with vehicle numbers growing at an 8% annual compounded rate while road networks remained virtually static. While Bengaluru's traffic has become legendary fodder for social media humor, the reality is far from amusing for residents. The city currently ranks third in the TomTom Traffic Index, with commuters spending over 34 minutes on average to travel just 10 kilometers. The congestion isn't solely due to passenger vehicles. "Unlike Delhi with its dedicated truck terminals, Bengaluru lacks proper peripheral road networks. Heavy goods vehicles must use city roads, creating bottlenecks at junctions and flyovers," noted Anucheth. Seasonal challenges compound these problems. "Every monsoon, waterlogging significantly disrupts traffic. Our outdated drainage infrastructure makes conditions worse for commuters and nearly impossible for traffic police to manage effectively," he added. When pressed about solutions, the conversation repeatedly returned to public transportation. "Historically, Bengaluru lacked robust public transport options. Before the metro, we relied solely on BMTC buses. Delhi developed its Metro system, Mumbai has its local trains, and Kolkata has trams—Bengaluru missed these opportunities," said Anucheth. Even limited progress has shown promising results. "When the Baiyyappanahalli line connected to the Whitefield line, peak hour traffic automatically decreased by 17%. This demonstrates the critical importance of interconnected public transportation," he emphasized. Kamath expressed skepticism about the pace of development: "Metro construction near my home on Bannerghatta Road began perhaps ten years ago and remains unfinished." While acknowledging the delays, Anucheth remained optimistic: "Implementation has been slow, but momentum is building. Once fully operational, the difference will be dramatic. Metro lines will reduce congestion, and road space currently occupied by construction—such as the Outer Ring Road—will finally reopen. The complete ten-lane carriageway will become available again." In addressing immediate concerns, Anucheth outlined current initiatives: "We're implementing AI-based traffic signals and technological interventions to improve traffic flow." Commissioner Dayananda reinforced this approach: "Enhanced public transportation, smarter road systems, and increased infrastructure investment are all part of our strategy. Complaining is easy, but meaningful solutions require time." Kamath's candid assessment resonated with listeners: a rapidly expanding tech hub constrained by its civic limitations. Anucheth concluded emphatically: "The definitive long-term solution is public transport—whether suburban rail, metro, or K-Ride. That's the only sustainable path forward." The episode titled "WTF Is Policing" generated significant online engagement. X user Anoosha Soham Bathwal commended its practical approach: "Loved how you tackled everyday chaos with tech and practical thinking. Bangalore traffic needs more such honest conversations." Another user, Rolwyn Castelino, raised questions about enforcement: "You asked if politicians receive traffic challans. The answer was fair, but auto-rickshaws rarely face fines from IMTS cameras. These violations are filtered out, showing leniency toward the auto mafia."
