The problem of congestion in Indian cities has been a persistent issue for years, causing numerous challenges for residents and commuters alike. Traffic gridlocks and long commute times have become an everyday occurrence, leading to wasted time, increased fuel consumption, and air pollution.

The rapidly growing population and the surge in the number of vehicles on the roads have been identified as the primary factors contributing to this problem. The recently released TomTom Traffic Index report highlights the severity of the issue, with Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Pune ranked among the most congested cities in the world.

The report reveals that Bengaluru is the second most congested city in the world after London with an average travel time for every 10 kms to be around half an hour. Pune is the second Indian city to make the top 10 list with an average travel time to be around 27 mins.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on traffic congestion, with many cities experiencing a significant reduction in congestion levels during the lockdown period. However, with the reopening of cities and the resumption of economic activities, traffic levels are expected to rise, leading to a potential increase in congestion. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive approach, including investment in public transportation, traffic management systems, and promoting sustainable modes of transport to reduce the number of cars on the road.

Indian cities, like many parts of the world, often have fewer traffic signals and traffic rules compared to cities like New York and London. This can cause chaos on the roads, leading to longer waiting times for those traveling within the city. One possible reason for this could be the difference in infrastructure and urban planning. Many Indian cities have grown organically over time and may not have had the opportunity to develop the necessary infrastructure to support a large number of traffic signals. Additionally, there may be a lack of enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, leading to more chaotic road conditions.

Bengaluru and Pune are two Indian cities that have been struggling with traffic congestion for quite some time now. One of the reasons for this is the lack of adequate traffic signals in these cities.

The share of private vehicles has continued to remain high in million-plus cities in India. The preference for using private vehicles has further increased, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pune, in particular, has already reported an alarming number of cars close to its human population. This highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackle car congestion in Indian cities, which includes incentivizing the use of public transportation, promoting the adoption of eco-friendly vehicles, and improving transportation infrastructure and traffic management systems

Learn more about the data analysis in this story.