Bengaluru was plunged into severe traffic congestion yesterday evening and this morning as thousands of its residents embarked on their Deepavali weekend exodus. Major transportation hubs, including the Kempegowda Bus Station (familiarly known as Majestic) and the Mysuru Road Satellite Bus Station, were swamped with immense crowds, leading to hours of gridlock on numerous key arterial roads.
A police official stated, “We anticipate these traffic snarls to continue throughout Saturday, October 18, particularly at known congestion hotspots. We strongly advise travelers to meticulously plan their journeys in advance to circumvent potential delays.”
In anticipation of this massive surge in travel, the Bengaluru Traffic Police proactively issued an advisory, pinpointing six critical congestion zones: Goraguntepalya, Hebbal, Majestic, Old Madras Road, Mysuru Road, and Hosur Road. They reiterated their plea for motorists to prepare their routes well ahead of time.
Major Congestion Points Emerge
According to reports from the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), dense traffic was observed around Majestic and the KSR Bengaluru railway station, extending to Seshadri Road, K.G. Road, and Mysuru Road.
A senior police officer commented, “Thousands converged upon the bus and railway stations, triggering gridlocks that affected multiple directions. We have implemented necessary measures and deployed additional police personnel to effectively manage the traffic flow.”
The Mysuru Road Satellite Bus Station, in particular, descended into disarray as passengers bound for Mysuru, Mangaluru, Puttur, Madikeri, Virajpet, and various parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala found themselves struggling immensely to board their respective buses. This overwhelming rush subsequently caused significant congestion on Mysuru Road, K.R. Market Road, Chord Road, and the Outer Ring Road, police officials confirmed.
Frustration Mounts Over Bus Shortages
Passengers at Majestic voiced strong complaints regarding the acute shortage of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.
“I’ve been waiting here since 4 p.m. for a bus to Hospet, but every single one is completely packed. There isn’t a single seat available,” lamented Ravi K., a passenger at Majestic. “I even tried private buses, but they are outrageously charging double the usual fare. A trip that normally costs ₹900 is now being quoted at ₹2,000 per seat. I’ve had no choice but to cancel my journey and head back home,” he added, visibly frustrated.
Conversely, KSRTC officials clarified that the corporation had already deployed 2,500 additional buses from Bengaluru between October 17 and 20 to manage the Deepavali rush. Return services are also planned from October 22 to 26. “All essential arrangements are in place to ensure these special services operate smoothly,” an official stated.
Deepavali Shopping Adds to Traffic Woes
Adding to the city’s vehicular woes, K.R. Market experienced its own brand of traffic pandemonium as thousands descended for their last-minute Deepavali shopping spree.
“It took me almost two hours just to navigate the stretch between Town Hall and the Mysuru Road flyover,” recounted Ramesh Gowda, a commuter from Shanthinagar. “Two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and cars were all bumper-to-bumper. Even pedestrians struggled to move through the sheer density of the crowd,” he elaborated.
Similar traffic jams were reported along Tumakuru Road, in areas such as Jalahalli, 8th Mile, Goraguntepalya, Hebbal, Hosur Road, Koramangala, the Outer Ring Road, Yeshwantpur, Rajajinagar, and across the Central Business District (CBD).