Bengaluru’s traffic nightmare: Congestion tax debate sparks outrage

India Today

As Bengaluru grapples with some of the worst traffic in the world, a proposed congestion tax on the Outer Ring Road has triggered debate.

Transcript

00:00Bengaluru's traffic has been a never-ending nightmare.

00:03According to official sources on September 24, officials met once again to discuss a new idea,

00:08a congestion tax on the outer ring road. Sources said the meeting explored deducting

00:12the charge through fast tag and encouraging carpooling on the stretch.

00:15Among those backing this approach is urban mobility expert RK Mishra,

00:19who argues Bengaluru needs not just more roads but smarter traffic management.

00:23He said,

00:24Solo drivers entering ORR may pay a congestion fee via fast tag, carpoolers go free.

00:29But after social media outrage on October 1, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar stepped in.

00:34He clarified there's no congestion tax proposed before the state government.

00:38Some industrialists may have suggested it, but it hasn't been considered.

00:41So what exactly is a congestion tax?

00:43It's a fee charged on vehicles entering specific areas of a city during peak hours.

00:48The idea is simple, fewer cars, less gridlock, cleaner air.

00:51According to Professor Ashish Verma, convener of the Sustainable Transportation Lab at IISC,

00:56such measures work only in tandem with strong alternatives.

01:00He told the Indian Express,

01:01Congestion charge is a tested push measure used in cities like London and Singapore.

01:05The idea is simple, when you drive into a congested area during peak times,

01:09you pay extra because each additional vehicle contributes to congestion.

01:13Another expert weighed in, mobility expert, Sanjeev Dhyamanavar,

01:17questioned the practicality of the proposal.

01:19With metro work already slowing traffic, what is the use of punishing vehicle owners

01:23further with a congestion tax?

01:25Public transport is in a poor state.

01:27Why aren't they improving metro or suburban rail instead?

01:29And citizens argue the same.

01:31It's unfair to penalise drivers when dependable alternatives don't exist.

01:36Many say they have no choice but to use a car because of gaps in public transport.

01:40Globally, congestion tax isn't new.

01:42It's worked in London, Singapore, Stockholm and New York,

01:44where strong transit networks give commuters real options.

01:48But this isn't Bengaluru's first brush with the idea either.

01:51Way back in 2003, congestion pricing was floated.

01:54Karnataka's Vision $1 trillion economy plan in 2023 suggested a congestion charge on vehicles

01:59entering Bengaluru's nine arterial roads.

02:02Bellary Road, Mysuru Road, Old Madras Road, Osor Road, Kanakpura Road,

02:06Banerghatta Road, Tumakaru Road, Magadi Road and parts of the Outer Ring Road.

02:10The goal? Reduce traffic and raise revenue for public transport.

02:14According to the TomTom Traffic Index,

02:16a real-time historical traffic monitoring service offered by a Dutch company,

02:20Bengaluru ranks as the third worst city in the world for traffic congestion.

02:24The gridlock costs the city roughly Rs 19,725 crore every year in lost time and resources.

02:30According to news reports, in August 2025 alone,

02:33Bengaluru added 58,913 vehicles to its already overcrowded roads.

02:39Fixes have been promised for years, but nothing has really worked.

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