Bengaluru’s Roads Overwhelmed by Holiday Traffic as Deepavali and Kannada Rajyotsava Near

On Wednesday, Bengaluru’s roads faced a wave of heavy traffic congestion, particularly around the city’s key transit hubs such as bus and railway stations. The pre-holiday rush brought severe delays and gridlock as residents began their travels for Deepavali and Kannada Rajyotsava, with the situation worsening in the evening as outbound traffic, particularly buses, surged.

Increased vehicular flow in Bengaluru’s core areas created a ripple effect on surrounding roads, making commuting particularly challenging. Some of the city’s busiest stretches, including Mysuru Road, K.R. Circle, Seshadripuram, and Okalipuram, were heavily impacted by the traffic buildup. Congestion was also reported on Dr. Rajkumar Road and Tumakuru Road in Yeshwanthpur, with other key areas like Shanthinagar, Hebbal, and K.R. Puram facing long delays as well. Even residential neighborhoods weren’t spared, as locals ventured out for last-minute holiday preparations, further adding to the city’s traffic woes.

The Bengaluru Traffic Police worked extensively to manage the steady flow of vehicles headed toward the Majestic area, one of the city’s busiest transportation hubs. Key roads leading to this central zone, such as Kempe Gowda Road, J.C. Road near Town Hall, Platform Road, Seshadri Road, Goods Shed Road, and Cottonpet Main Road, were particularly congested, with traffic crawling for hours in some places.

To handle the holiday rush, both private and government-operated buses have deployed additional fleets to help accommodate the increased demand. Many residents have turned to cabs, autorickshaws, and the metro to reach transit stations and the airport in hopes of avoiding traffic delays. However, these alternatives were also heavily in demand, making it challenging for commuters to find available rides.

Manoj Kumar, a resident of Rajajinagar, shared his experience: “I left home early to avoid the peak hours, but traffic was already building up. It took me over an hour just to reach the Majestic bus station, and getting a cab or auto was almost impossible despite trying multiple aggregator apps.”

Similar stories were shared by commuters across the city. Mahesh Kulkarni from J.P. Nagar recounted: “I usually take the metro to reach Yeshwanthpur railway station, but it was packed today. I had to let one train go and wait for the next one just to get on.”

In response to the anticipated traffic volume, the Bengaluru Traffic Police issued a public advisory with essential tips for residents preparing for travel over the long weekend. They warned of ongoing holiday congestion as the city celebrates Deepavali and Kannada Rajyotsava and encouraged residents to follow several guidelines to help manage the increased travel flow.

The advisory highlighted four key suggestions: to ‘plan ahead’ by setting up travel schedules in advance and allocating extra time for commuting; to ‘choose alternative routes’ by familiarizing themselves with alternative paths to avoid major traffic bottlenecks; to ‘utilize public transport’ to reduce road congestion; and to ‘travel safely’ by adhering to traffic rules and exercising patience during peak travel hours. Traffic officials advised that adhering to these tips could help alleviate the strain on the city’s roads, especially as the holiday rush continues to grow.

With October 31 through November 3 marked as a long weekend, the city’s infrastructure faces mounting pressure to accommodate the movement of thousands of travelers eager to reunite with family for the festive season. This advisory comes as Bengaluru once again grapples with the demands of its growing population and the heavy flow of holiday traffic, creating an urgent call for efficient travel planning and safe driving practices.