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Time of India
3 days ago
- 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.'
IOL News
16-05-2025
- IOL News
Is Cape Town traffic turning you into a grump? Unpacking the mental toll
Studies show individuals who spend extended periods in traffic experience elevated levels of stress, anxiety, frustration, irritability, nervous tension, and an overall decline in wellbeing. Image: Freepik I often drive against traffic – lucky me – but as someone who once sat in it daily, I can honestly say that sitting in Cape Town traffic for hours en route to Strand or Somerset West is not child's play. That clutch control has you in a chokehold, although, yes, it builds the glutes and there's only so many times you can listen to 'Party Rock Anthem' on the N2 before it becomes your personal horror soundtrack. Let's be honest. Cape Town's traffic situation is out of hand. According to the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index, the city ranks 85th globally in congestion, with an average congestion level of 36% - a 3% increase from the previous year. During rush hour, the average time to travel 10 km in the metro area is 28 minutes and 20 seconds, with an average speed of 21.2 km/h and a congestion level of 60%. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index, the city ranks as the most congested in South Africa, with drivers spending an average of 74 hours a year stuck in peak-time traffic. Now imagine being one of the unlucky ones crawling along the N1, N2, or the ever-chaotic R300 during rush hour. Four hours a day? That's practically a part-time job and not the kind that pays. Johannesburg is often close behind Cape Town in congestion levels, but Cape Town has consistently ranked highest in recent years. Cape Town's road infrastructure challenges and urban sprawl contribute heavily to the bottlenecks, particularly on the N1, N2, and R300. Cape Town is now the most congested city in South Africa, with drivers losing an average of 74 hours a year in traffic. Image: Freepik But beyond the wasted time and the rising petrol bill, we're not talking enough about how this grind affects our mental health. Long hours in traffic are linked to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. You get home absolutely shattered, no energy for your partner, your children, or even yourself. A study from UCT has shown that chronic exposure to heavy traffic can lead to irritability, poor sleep, and emotional detachment. Now add load shedding and potholes to the mix, and you have a recipe for burnout. And let's not forget relationships. How are you meant to be emotionally present when your daily routine includes suppressing road rage and trying not to cry in the car? We spoke to Dr Melané van Zyl, a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, to unpack the long-term mental and physical effects of daily commuting, especially for those stuck in traffic for hours on end. 'There are studies that show individuals who spend extended periods in traffic experience elevated levels of stress, anxiety, frustration, irritability, nervous tension, and an overall decline in wellbeing and life satisfaction,' explains Dr van Zyl. She adds that many drivers also feel a deep sense of helplessness and a lack of control, particularly in the mornings when there's pressure to be somewhere on time. Many drivers feel a deep sense of helplessness and a lack of control, particularly in the mornings when there's pressure to be somewhere on time. Image: Freepik 'This anticipation and the anxiety before the commute even begins can wear people down. Over time, it contributes to more serious mental health issues, including mood and anxiety disorders.' And it's not just the mind that suffers. 'Chronic stress from commuting can also lead to physical health problems like high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, and burnout.' 'In my experience, people become more irritable, emotionally reactive, withdrawn, and quick to snap. These shifts in behaviour often spill over into personal relationships,' she says. Miscommunication becomes more common. 'People may misinterpret what their partner or family member is saying because they feel unsupported even when support is actually being offered. The constant pressure and stress of commuting makes it harder to connect emotionally at home.' Van Zyl recommends turning the commute into a time for calm rather than chaos. 'Practise mindfulness techniques such as focused breathing, gratitude exercises, or visualisation while sitting in traffic. Shift your perspective, use the time as an opportunity for solitude and reflection.' 'There are real mental and physical health consequences linked to long commutes, and it's something employers and urban developers should take seriously.' Van Zyl suggests that employers can ease the burden by offering flexible work arrangements, including the option to work remotely. 'Companies should also ensure mental health resources like counselling are available, and that they foster a genuinely supportive culture for employees who face long travel times each day.' Until structural changes come, though, the daily crawl continues. So next time you're bumper-to-bumper on the N2, maybe take a breath, literally, and try turning your commute into a moment of calm. Goodluck.
India Today
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Bengaluru traffic not just a meme: Top cops explain city's troubles in podcast
'Whenever I go and tell good things about Bangalore, people tell me: traffic, traffic, traffic.' In one sentence, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath captured the frustration of millions. In the latest episode of his podcast 'WTF Is', Kamath sat down with Bengaluru Commissioner of Police B Dayananda and Joint Commissioner (Traffic) MN Anucheth for an honest, data-driven unpacking of the city's most infamous headache — its traffic. From overloaded roads to outdated drainage, Kamath probed at the heart of the gridlock. The answers offered no silver bullets — but they revealed a city choking on its own BURDEN OF SUCCESS'Post-2000, after the IT boom, there has been significant, explosive growth; and the infrastructure simply hasn't kept up,' said result? Bengaluru now has one of the highest vehicle densities in India. Over 1.23 crore registered vehicles jostle for space in a city of 1.5 crore people — a staggering 872 vehicles per 1,000 people, higher than both Mumbai and Delhi. That number has doubled in a decade. From 2013 to 2023, vehicles grew at an annual compounded rate of 8%. The road network? Virtually THE MEMES: AN EVERYDAY LOGJAMBengaluru's traffic has been an unending supply of internet fodder: so much so that they are a genre of their own. But behind the humour lies a relentless grind: hours lost to bottlenecks, especially during peak hours. The city currently ranks third in the TomTom Traffic Index, with an average commute time of over 34 minutes for just 10 this isn't just about too many cars. 'Unlike cities like Delhi that have dedicated truck terminals, Bengaluru lacks a proper peripheral road network. Heavy goods vehicles end up using city roads, clogging junctions and flyovers,' Anucheth months bring another layer of chaos. '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 said.A SINGLE METRO LIFELINE: 17% RELIEFKamath pressed for solutions and public transport came up again and again. 'Historically, Bengaluru lacked robust public transport. Before the metro, we only had BMTC buses. Delhi has the Metro, Mumbai has locals, Kolkata has trams. Bengaluru missed that bus,' said even one good metro link made a visible dent. 'Just to give an example: When the Baiyyappanahalli line got connected to the Whitefield line, peak hour traffic reduced by 17% automatically. That just shows how just interlinking to this thing or how important public transport is.,' he SLOW: METRO STILL 'WORK IN PROGRESS'Kamath wasn't entirely convinced. 'Near my house on Bannerghatta Road, metro construction started, I don't know — maybe ten years ago. It's still going on,' he acknowledged the delays but held out hope. 'Implementation has taken time, but there's serious momentum now. Once it's fully operational, you'll see a dramatic difference. Metro lines will ease congestion, and road space taken up by construction—like the Outer Ring Road—will finally reopen. The full ten-lane carriageway will be available again.'BUT WHAT'S THE LONG GAME HERE?So what happens in the meantime?'In the short term, we're rolling out AI-based traffic signals and tech-based interventions to improve flow,' said Anucheth. Commissioner Dayananda echoed the sentiment: 'Better public transport, smarter roads and more infrastructure investment — these are all on the roadmap. Complaining is easy. But real solutions take time.'Kamath's blunt honesty resonated with listeners: a city bursting at the seams, caught in a tug-of-war between tech-fuelled growth and civic summed it up: 'The long-term solution is public transport—whether it's suburban rail, metro, or K-Ride. That's the only way forward.''WTF IS POLICING' EPISODE GETS INTERNET TALKINGThe latest podcast episode titled WTF Is Policing, sparked conversation the comment section of the teaser of the episode, X user Anoosha Soham Bathwal praised its practical tone: 'Loved how you tackled everyday chaos with tech and practical thinking. Bangalore traffic needs more such honest conversations.'advertisementAnother user, Rolwyn Castelino, weighed in on a pointed question from Kamath about VIP fines: 'In one of your questions, you asked if politicians get challaned. The answer was fair. But if you ask the same wrt (with respect to) autos, 99% of them weren't fined by IMTS cameras. These violations get filtered out and these guys are liberal and support the auto mafia.'Others used the podcast as a springboard to raise fresh concerns. User named Neethu, along with pictures of garbage collected across the city, commented: 'Please do something to make Bangalore a garbage-free city. Tech City Bengaluru is now famous as Garbage City... Look at the condition of Bengaluru.'
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."
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
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
Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath confronted Bengaluru's most pressing issue—its traffic—during the latest episode of his podcast, WTF Is. Speaking with Commissioner of Police B. Dayananda and Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M.N. Anucheth, Kamath did not hold back. He said, 'I am from Bangalore. I hate all the hate that is coming for Bangalore. I want Bangalore to look nice somehow. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare He also raised a pointed question that resonates with many citizens: are VIPs above traffic rules? The question was left hanging, but what followed was a sharp, data-rich unpacking of the city's congested reality. A City choking on growth 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo 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!' said Anucheth. 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. Live Events Memes, misery and monsoons 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. One metro line, seventeen percent relief When asked what could fix it, Anucheth was clear. 'Historically Bangalore has 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 in Kolkata you have the trams, in Delhi you have the metro, in Mumbai you have the Mumbai local, which is not the case here.' He pointed to a recent success: 'Just to give an example when the Baiyyappanahalli Line got connected to the Whitefield Line, automatically peak hour traffic reduced by 17 percent automatically. That just shows how just interlinking to this thing or how important public transport is.' Metro: Still digging, still waiting Kamath wasn't convinced about the pace. He recalled the seemingly endless metro work near his home. 'Near my house on Bannerghatta Road, metro construction started, I don't know, maybe ten years ago. It's still going on.' In response, Anucheth acknowledged the delays but remained optimistic: 'A lot of impetus is being given now to expand public transport. In the long run, it is the only sustainable solution to Bengaluru traffic problem. Implementation has taken time, but once complete, you will definitely see a significant difference.' He added, 'Once the metro becomes fully operational, not only will people have access to faster public transit, but even the road space currently occupied by construction work will open up. For example, the full ten-lane road along the Outer Ring Road will become available again. This will definitely ease congestion.' Short-term fixes and long-term hope 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. Commissioner Dayananda offered a measured response to public frustration: 'Better public transport, more infrastructure investment, and smarter roads are all part of the roadmap. Complaining is easy, but solutions require time.' Bengaluru is grappling with a challenge rooted in its own success. A booming population. A spiralling number of vehicles. And infrastructure playing catch-up. Kamath's blunt honesty echoes what millions feel: a city bursting at its seams. But in the words of its top traffic official, the path forward is clear. '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.'
