As images of stalled vehicles and miles-long jams flooded social media during Delhi’s Diwali rush, many users quickly turned their attention to a familiar topic in India’s urban traffic discussions: Bengaluru.
Delhi’s crippling traffic gridlock has sparked a widespread conversation online, not just about the capital’s infrastructure but also about Bengaluru, whose residents feel that traffic snarls in other cities don’t receive the same level of scrutiny.
Comments sections accompanying visuals of Delhi’s choked roads have been buzzing with activity. Many users playfully pointed out the perceived lack of criticism typically directed at Bengaluru’s infamous traffic jams. “Where are all the anti-Bengaluru gang? They will be silent about this,” one user commented. Another quipped, “It’s fine… because it’s not Bangalore, right?” while a third lamented, “It’s not Bangalore and all the elites don’t care.” Some even humorously suggested that Bengaluru was traffic-free that week simply because most of its residents had travelled back home for the festive break.
This isn’t the first time these two major Indian metropolises have been compared in the public eye, particularly concerning infrastructure, mobility, and, of course, traffic management.
Delhi Roads Choked Amidst Festive Rush
Delhi has been experiencing severe bumper-to-bumper traffic on major routes, including the Outer Ring Road, Ring Road, Mathura Road (between Pragati Maidan and Badarpur border), Aurobindo Marg, Barapullah elevated road, Delhi Noida Direct (DND) Flyway, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Roads leading to neighbouring cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have also seen significant congestion.
The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been inundated with commuter complaints about the overwhelming traffic jams. This situation prompted the Delhi Police to cancel all leaves for traffic personnel on Thursday to better manage the situation.
“I’ve never seen traffic like this in Delhi! Been stuck in the same spot for over 2 hours, nothing’s moving. Called 112 three-four times, but the call kept dropping and no one called back. What a mess! With the festival season ahead, this is pathetic planning by the authorities,” one distressed user shared on X.
In anticipation of Diwali, the city police have implemented comprehensive, multi-layered security arrangements to ensure a safe and secure celebration for all residents. Special security measures are in place at key markets, crowded public spaces, and commercial hubs with high foot traffic. Delhi Police have deployed substantial manpower across all districts, augmented by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) as force multipliers.
To effectively manage the heavy vehicular movement during the festive rush, the Delhi Traffic Police stated that maximum resources have been allocated to regulate traffic, prioritize pedestrian safety, and ensure public convenience. Regular traffic advisories are being issued, providing details on restrictions, diversions, designated parking areas, and important commuter instructions. Authorities are urging the public to adhere to traffic rules, follow instructions, utilize public transport, and avoid using personal vehicles whenever feasible.
(Inputs from ANI)