Bengaluru’s roads quickly reverted to their usual congested state following the Dasara holiday weekend. A social media post that has gone viral perfectly illustrated this dramatic shift, showcasing the stark difference between peaceful festival mornings and the city’s persistent traffic woes.
The post, shared by a user named Shivaram, featured two images: one taken during Dasara at 10 AM, revealing surprisingly empty streets, and another taken early the following morning at 7 AM, even before peak hours, where traffic was already building up. Shivaram’s simple caption, “Bengaluru back to normal,” resonated with many.
What People Are Saying
The post sparked a wave of reactions from fellow commuters, many of whom expressed their frustration with the city’s ongoing traffic problems. One user lamented, “From this angle, I’m 100% sure, this cannot be corrected!! Complete failure of urban planning.” Shivaram agreed, highlighting the city’s infrastructure challenges, such as the convergence of major roads and short gaps between them.
Others lightened the mood with humor, comparing Bengaluru’s traffic to democratic principles: “By the people, of the people, for the people.” Some commuters also shared their appreciation for the rare moments of smooth travel experienced during the festival, with one noting, “The good thing is, I can easily get 1 to 1.5 hours of sleep on my way to office now.”
During the Dasara festival, areas like MG Road, Brigade Road, and Koramangala enjoyed remarkably light traffic, offering residents a glimpse of what a less congested city could be like. However, persistent issues such as faded lane markings, haphazard bus parking, and inadequate pedestrian paths continue to plague Bengaluru’s traffic management system.
As offices reopened and normal life resumed, Bengaluru swiftly returned to its familiar traffic snarls. This recurring pattern serves as a reminder to residents that the moments of tranquility on the city’s roads are typically festive exceptions, not the norm.