India’s Most Congested Cities 2024: Kolkata Leads the Pack, 2nd in the World, Bengaluru and Pune Not Far Behind

Kolkata has officially taken the top spot as India’s most congested city in 2024, pushing Bengaluru to the second position, as per the latest TomTom Traffic Index report. The city, often referred to as the “City of Joy,” now holds the undesirable title due to its rising traffic woes, with Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai following closely behind in the top five.

The report, released by Dutch location technology firm TomTom, highlights severe traffic issues in major Indian cities, measuring average travel time, congestion levels, and time lost in rush hours.

Key Findings from the Report:

• Kolkata’s Congestion Woes: Kolkata recorded an average travel time of 34 minutes and 33 seconds per 10 km, with a total congestion level of 32%. Commuters in the city spent approximately 110 hours stuck in rush hour traffic in 2024, a 10-second increase from 2023.
• Bengaluru Traffic Conditions: Bengaluru, often criticized for its gridlock traffic, reported a slightly lower average travel time of 34 minutes and 10 seconds per 10 km. The congestion level was higher at 38%, with Bengalureans losing 117 hours annually to traffic jams.
• Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai Follow: Pune ranked third, followed by Hyderabad and Chennai, rounding up the top five most congested cities in the country.
• National Rankings Beyond the Top 5: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ernakulam, Jaipur, and New Delhi completed the top ten most congested cities list for 2024.

Global Congestion Rankings:

Kolkata and Bengaluru also ranked prominently on the global stage, securing the second and third positions respectively among the world’s most congested cities. The city of Barranquilla in Colombia topped the global list with an average travel time of 36 minutes and 6 seconds per 10 km and a congestion level of 45%.

Sluggish Speeds and Rising Delays:

Kolkata recorded an average traffic speed of 17.4 km/h, while Bengaluru trailed slightly faster at 17.6 km/h. The increasing delays underscore the pressing need for improved urban infrastructure and traffic management solutions in India’s metropolitan cities.

Conclusion:

The rising congestion levels in Indian cities, especially Kolkata and Bengaluru, emphasize the urgency for better traffic management policies and infrastructural developments. With increasing commute times and reduced traffic speeds, addressing urban congestion has become critical for the well-being and productivity of city dwellers.