Why’s Bangalore So Congested? It Has 900 Vehicles/Km
Bangalore has seen a surge in vehicle registrations, reaching 1.2 crore as of March 31, 2026. With 14,063 km of roads, this translates to approximately 900 vehicles per kilometre, a significantly higher ratio than Delhi’s 480 vehicles per kilometre.
Vehicle Growth Trends
- Two-wheelers: In FY2025-26, 7.9 lakh new vehicles were added, with 5.2 lakh of them being two-wheelers. The city now boasts 86 lakh two-wheelers.
- Cars: Around 1.5 lakh cars were registered last fiscal year, bringing the total car fleet to 24.8 lakh.
Challenges and Consequences
The rapid growth in vehicles has not been matched by an expansion of the road network. As a result:
- Journey Times: Average speeds during peak hours range between 11 and 15 kmph for private vehicles on major corridors. The Outer Ring Road, a key tech corridor, often sees journey times that are two to three times longer than off-peak durations.
- Traffic Delays: Bangalore commuters lose approximately 168 hours per year due to traffic delays, according to the TomTom Traffic Index.
Addressing the Issue
Efforts are underway to alleviate congestion:
- Karnataka’s 2025 budget allocated funds for new roads and road upgrades, aiming to add 300 km of new roads along canal buffers and 460 km of arterial and sub-arterial road improvements.
- The metro project aims to expand the operational network to 175 km by 2027, with further expansion planned for later phases.