Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune lead Indian cities in slowest traffic rankings for 2024-25
Traffic congestion has become a defining feature of urban life in India, with cities like Kolkata, Bengaluru and Pune among the most gridlocked worldwide. The TomTom Traffic Index 2024 highlights how rapid growth is outpacing infrastructure, worsening delays and mobility struggles.
New Delhi: In the bustling heart of India’s sprawling metropolises, traffic congestion has evolved from a daily frustration to a defining feature of urban life. From the colonial charm of Kolkata’s boulevards to the sleek, tech-centric streets of Bengaluru, commuters across the country find themselves trapped in an ever-expanding web of gridlock.
The TomTom Traffic Index 2024 paints a bleak picture, placing several Indian cities among the most congested in the world, a stark reflection of the struggles faced as they attempt to balance growth with mobility.
Kolkata: The unwanted table toppers
Kolkata now claims the dubious honour of being India’s most congested city, overtaking Bengaluru for the first time. The average time to travel just 10 kilometres in the city of joy now stretches to 34 minutes and 33 seconds, a significant increase from last year. On a global scale, only Barranquilla in Colombia fares worse. The city’s narrow streets, intricate tram systems, and unpredictable traffic flow contribute to the daily chaos that many have come to accept as part of life.
Bengaluru: Struggling to keep pace
Once infamous for its traffic nightmares, Bengaluru now sits just behind Kolkata in third place globally, with an average journey time of 34 minutes and 10 seconds for a 10-kilometre trip. The city’s transformation into a tech hub, with its sprawling IT parks, has brought prosperity but also an unrelenting increase in the number of private vehicles. With over 2.5 million cars on the road and thousands more being added daily, Bengaluru is gasping under the weight of its own success.
Pune: New entrant in traffic crisis
Pune, once renowned for its relaxed pace, has swiftly urbanised, bringing with it the all-too-familiar burden of traffic congestion. Ranked fourth globally, the average commute time for just 10 kilometres now stands at 33 minutes and 22 seconds. The city’s rapid growth, coupled with inadequate road expansion and poor public transport, has led to a situation where roads are simply unable to cope with the volume of vehicles.
It’s not just city-specific but a national problem
Beyond the top-ranking cities, traffic congestion is becoming a pan-India issue. Hyderabad ranks 18th globally with a 31-minute commute for 10 kilometres, while Chennai follows closely at 31st with 30 minutes and 20 seconds. Mumbai, notorious for its densely packed streets, places 39th with an average of 29 minutes and 26 seconds.
Other cities such as Ahmedabad, Ernakulam, Jaipur, and New Delhi also feature prominently in the global top 150, underscoring that traffic is no longer just a problem for India’s largest cities but one affecting a growing number of urban centres.
Worst traffic affected cities in India
| Rank | City | State | Average travel time per 10 km | Time lost per year during rush hours | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kolkata | West Bengal | 34 minutes 33 seconds | 110 hours | 2 |
| 2 | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 34 minutes 10 seconds | 117 hours | 3 |
| 3 | Pune | Maharashtra | 33 minutes 22 seconds | 108 hours | 4 |
| 4 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 31 minutes 30 seconds | 85 hours | 18 |
| 5 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 30 minutes 20 seconds | 94 hours | 31 |
| 6 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 29 minutes 26 seconds | 103 hours | 39 |
| 7 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 29 minutes 3 seconds | 73 hours | 43 |
| 8 | Ernakulam | Kerala | 28 minutes 30 seconds | 88 hours | 50 |
| 9 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 28 minutes 28 seconds | 83 hours | 52 |
| 10 | New Delhi | Delhi | 23 minutes 24 seconds | 76 hours | 122 |
What is leading to massive traffic congestion in Indian cities?
Urban planners point to a combination of factors behind the gridlock:
- Rapid urbanisation: cities have expanded far quicker than their infrastructure could keep up, leaving roads congested and inefficient.
- Ageing infrastructure: many urban areas still rely on road networks that were built decades ago and were never designed to handle current traffic volumes.
- Public transport deficiencies: insufficient, unreliable, or poorly integrated public transport systems push people into private vehicles, exacerbating the situation.
- Poor urban planning: unregulated development, lack of zoning laws, and chaotic expansion contribute to the bottlenecks and delays that plague city commuters.
How is it affecting our daily lives?
The impact of this congestion goes beyond simply arriving late. Prolonged traffic jams have far-reaching consequences for the economy, with productivity losses and increased fuel consumption.
Environmentally, vehicles idling in traffic produce higher emissions, further contributing to pollution. The health costs are significant as well, both physical and mental.
Can we expect anything better soon?
While the scale of the problem is daunting, experts are optimistic that a combination of infrastructure improvements, policy changes, and a shift in public behaviour could ease the situation.
- Improving public transport: investing in efficient, reliable, and widespread public transport systems could encourage commuters to leave their cars behind.
- Upgrading roads: expanding roads and using technology to manage traffic, such as adaptive signals and real-time monitoring, could help alleviate congestion.
- Encouraging alternatives: creating walkable streets and safe cycling paths can reduce the pressure on roads, offering healthier, more sustainable modes of transport.
- Policy changes: implementing measures such as congestion pricing, parking restrictions, and incentives for carpooling could reduce the number of vehicles on the road.