Bengaluru’s Traffic Woes Need Public Solutions
Bengaluru, once known as the Garden City, now faces a crippling traffic dilemma due to its unchecked urban expansion and rising population. Despite a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) drafted in 2020 by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), which promised sustainable and equitable transportation, the city continues to prioritise a car-centric infrastructure. A recent feasibility report by Altinok Consulting Engineering Inc, commissioned by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), underscores this misplaced focus by proposing elevated corridors, flyovers, and tunnel roads. While these projects may offer temporary relief, experts argue that they perpetuate congestion, promote private vehicle usage, and neglect sustainable urban mobility.
Instead of increasing road capacity, Bengaluru must adopt a public transport-first strategy. Augmenting the metro network, accelerating circular rail projects, enhancing BMTC bus frequency, and improving first- and last-mile connectivity could significantly reduce dependency on private vehicles. Global examples provide valuable lessons—Luxembourg has made public transport free, while several cities levy congestion charges or impose higher parking fees to discourage car usage. Such measures have not only eased traffic but also improved air quality, underscoring the necessity of people-focused infrastructure.
Bengaluru’s current mobility planning lacks inclusivity, leaving pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users sidelined. A shift towards people-centric infrastructure is crucial to ensuring liveability. Traffic solutions should prioritise moving people rather than vehicles, fostering urban environments that balance accessibility and sustainability. The CMP’s vision of an integrated, multi-modal system remains unrealised due to fragmented execution, yet holds the blueprint for an equitable future.
Sustainability lies at the heart of this debate. Expanding roads invites more vehicles, amplifying pollution and diminishing urban liveability. Prioritising public transport, walking, and cycling can lower carbon footprints while creating healthier communities. Bengaluru’s transformation depends on embracing greener, inclusive transport systems that serve every citizen, building a city that values people over cars.
