Congestion Index

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• According to the latest 2025 TomTom Traffic Index, ranked India as the fifth most traffic-congested country globally and second in Asia.

About

• The index evaluates cities worldwide based on average travel time, congestion levels and vehicle speeds. 
  • The index is widely used to track changes in urban mobility and compare congestion trends across regions and countries.
• Bengaluru emerged as India’s most traffic-congested city, recording an average congestion level of 74.4%
  • Bengaluru and Kolkata were both listed among the world’s five slowest cities.
• Of the top 10 cities with the highest congestion in Asia, six were from India: Bengaluru (1), Pune (2), Mumbai (6), New Delhi (7), Kolkata (9), and Jaipur (10). 

Causes of Traffic Congestion in India

• Rapid urbanisation and population growth is increasing pressure on limited road space.
• Rising private vehicle ownership due to higher incomes and inadequate public transport is exceeding the road capacity growth.
• Inadequate and poorly planned road infrastructure, including narrow roads and missing bypasses.
• Mixed traffic conditions with vehicles of different speeds and sizes sharing the same road. Also, an absence of lane discipline slows down traffic flow.
• Poor traffic management and weak enforcement of traffic rules.
• Encroachments and on-street parking reduce effective road width.

Implications 

• Economic losses due to fuel wastage, delayed logistics, and reduced productivity.
• Increased air and noise pollution leading to the worsening urban health outcomes.
  • Higher carbon emissions, undermining climate and sustainability goals.
• Long waiting hours lead to higher stress levels and road rage, affecting mental health and social well-being.
• Congested roads lead to delay in emergency services (ambulances, fire services), risking lives.
• Increased road accidents due to chaotic traffic and rule violations.
• Reduced quality of urban life, lowering livability and ease of doing business.

Initiatives to Combat Traffic Congestion in India

• Strengthening public transport through metro rail, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), suburban rail and electric buses.
• Promotion of intelligent traffic management systems (ITMS) using AI, sensors and adaptive signals.
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) to integrate land use with mass transit corridors.
• Urban road infrastructure upgrades, including flyovers, ring roads and dedicated lanes.
• Parking management reforms, such as pricing, multi-level parking and no-parking zones.
• Encouraging non-motorised transport by developing footpaths and cycle tracks.
• Policy and behavioural initiatives, including congestion pricing, staggered office timings and stricter enforcement.

Source: DTE