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The discussion gained traction after Siddharth Dialani, co-founder of Bengaluru-based agritech company BharatAgri, praised Ahmedabad for its well-maintained roads and efficient traffic management while criticising Bengaluru for its poor road conditions and chaotic traffic
Dr G Parameshwara inaugurates the Traffic Police Museum. (X @DrParameshwara)
Karnataka’s home minister Dr G Parameshwara has come out with all guns blazing to defend Bengaluru’s traffic situation, saying it is far ahead of cities like Ahmedabad in terms of using technology for better traffic and road management.
His remarks came in response to a question from News18 about the growing criticism of Bengaluru’s traffic system. The discussion gained traction after Siddharth Dialani, co-founder of Bengaluru-based agritech company BharatAgri, praised Ahmedabad for its well-maintained roads and efficient traffic management while criticising Bengaluru for its poor road conditions and chaotic traffic.
‘Far Ahead Of Ahmedabad’
“We are far ahead of Ahmedabad. In fact, our signal timing system started in 1973, while Ahmedabad probably began only five or 10 years ago. We are much ahead of them in terms of technology, AI, and traffic-management systems,” Parameshwara said.
Dialani had earlier remarked that Ahmedabad was at least a decade ahead of Bengaluru in road quality, footpaths, and traffic signals.
If the CEO’s reference to Bengaluru’s traffic wasn’t viral enough, veteran all-rounder and now Padma Shri R Ashwin was also heard comparing England’s batting to driving in Bengaluru traffic.
On his YouTube broadcast, he is heard saying: “England has played incomplete cricket. They made a series of mistakes. When you play in India, you can’t play in one tempo. If you drive in Bengaluru traffic, you can’t always be in the fourth gear. It’s the same logic here. Sometimes, you can’t even go to the fourth gear in Bengaluru,” he said, laughing and referring to the famed traffic woes in a jocular manner.
Parameshwara said the Bengaluru traffic police have always aimed at better traffic management, coordination with civic agencies for road design and maintenance, and will keep at it until they master the art of effective management.
“We are far better than other metropolitan cities, definitely better than Ahmedabad, but we want to be the best. We are doing the most with the resources we have, have recruited more staff, depending on the requirement of the traffic department, and will strive to be the best, setting an example for others,” he said.
IT Industry veteran Mohandas Pai, chairperson of Aarin Capital and former CFO of Infosys, weighed in on the debate, calling Dialani’s remarks a “big shame” for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Bengaluru vs Other Cities
Parameshwara compared Bengaluru’s vehicular speed with other metro cities to highlight its efficiency. “In Delhi, the average speed is 17.37 minutes per kilometre. In Kolkata, it’s 16.67, Mumbai is at 18.07, and Bengaluru is at 18.47. On the other end of the spectrum, Hyderabad stands at 23.40, and Pune at 22.45. We are performing better, but our goal is to be the best, and we will get there,” he said.
IT Companies and Carpooling Resistance
When asked whether IT companies had resisted the traffic police’s recommendations for carpooling to ease congestion, Parameshwara admitted that despite efforts, compliance remains a challenge.
“We can only request and advise them. Some companies cooperate, others don’t. Initially, when carpooling was introduced, some companies encouraged it. But eventually, most employees preferred using their own vehicles. This has been a big challenge for us,” he acknowledged.
Bengaluru Launches New Traffic Initiatives
In an effort to improve traffic management, Parameshwara launched the Bengaluru Traffic Police’s ASTraM mobile app, which provides real-time traffic updates for better route planning. The app allows users to report accidents, traffic violations, and incorrect fines while integrating commuters into the city’s traffic management system.
“The ASTraM app ensures greater participation and accountability. It is now available for both iOS and Android platforms,” said MN Anucheth, Joint Commissioner (Traffic).
Alongside the app, the Traffic Museum and Experience Centre were inaugurated to showcase Bengaluru’s traffic management evolution and advancements over the years.
Additionally, the traffic police introduced an Ambulance Tracking Application to streamline emergency response. The system monitors ambulances in real time, triggering alerts if a vehicle is stuck in traffic for over 120 seconds. It provides the shortest route and includes an SOS button for immediate intervention.
To further enhance traffic monitoring, Bengaluru traffic police has deployed 10 drone cameras to oversee traffic flow during peak hours.
With these initiatives, Parameshwara reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling Bengaluru’s traffic challenges while ensuring that the city remains at the forefront of technological advancements in urban mobility, setting standards for other cities in the country.
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Bangalore, India, India
