Why Karnataka govt’s flawed decisions are adding to Bengaluru’s traffic crisis

Bengaluru now has 1.24 crore registered vehicles, including 83.5 lakh two-wheelers and 25.6 lakh cars.

Bike taxi ban and poor last-mile connectivity

The Congress manifesto promised to frame a new, people-friendly transportation policy suited to modern needs by revising the 60–70-year-old existing policies and new modes like e-rickshaws.

However, in March 2024, the government withdrew the Electric Bike Taxi Scheme launched in 2021 to improve last-mile connectivity and generate jobs in Bengaluru.

Also read:  A week after bike taxi ban, Bengaluru sees spike in traffic jams, costlier auto rides & angry gig workers

Following the government's failure to frame a policy for bike taxis, a Karnataka High Court order led to a full ban on bike taxis from June 16. This eliminated a fast and affordable mode of transport, resulting in increased congestion, rising auto fares and protests by gig workers. The e-rickshaw plan too has yet to materialise.

Metro and suburban rail delays

The Congress also promised to fast-track metro and suburban rail projects. Yet, delays continue. The 19-km Yellow Line (RV Road–Bommasandra), originally due in 2021, is now expected only by August 2025. Other major corridors such as the Pink Line (Kalena Agrahara–Nagawara) and Blue Line (Central Silk Board–KR Pura–Airport) are also behind schedule.

Tenders for civil works on Metro Phase 3 corridors (JP Nagar 4th Phase–Kempapura and Hosahalli–Kadabagere) are still pending, despite receiving Union government approval in August 2024. Officials say the delay is linked to the state government's insistence on incorporating double-decker flyovers, causing design and cost complications.

Also read: Bengaluru suburban rail project near standstill amid Karnataka–Centre tussle

BMRCL has also controversially reduced the land allocated for a proposed depot at Hebbal, from more than 45 acres to 9 acres, allegedly under pressure from the real estate lobby. Further, BMRCL managing director M Maheshwar Rao was in April also appointed chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the city's civic body, forcing him to juggle two demanding roles.

Rao was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts.

The suburban rail project faces similar hurdles. Work on two of the four corridors has been suspended after contractors suspended work, citing the government's failure to hand over the land required. Tenders for the remaining two corridors are yet to be invited. Additionally, the executing agency - Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Ltd - does not have a full-time managing director.

Also read: 'Brand Bengaluru' caught between DK Shivakumar’s vanity projects and city's crumbling infra

BMLTA delay: No integration of transport systems

The Congress had also pledged to set up a unified urban transport authority named after Sir KP Puttanna Chetty, one of Bengaluru’s great philanthropists, to ensure integration of metro, suburban rail and other modes. However, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA), despite being notified in January 2023, is yet to be established.

After delays, the Karnataka assembly passed the BMLTA bill in December 2022, and it was notified in January 2023. BMLTA was modelled on global best practices like Transport for London and is meant to coordinate all urban mobility efforts under one umbrella. But the Urban Development Department has not yet framed the rules. A senior government official told Moneycontrol, “Cities like Chennai and Kochi have already created unified transport bodies. In contrast, Bengaluru’s transport planning is ad hoc. With DULT (Directorate of Urban Land Transport) inactive and BMLTA missing, there's no coordinating authority."

Tunnel vision and car-centric projects

Despite public opposition, the state government is pushing a north–south tunnel road from Hebbal to Central Silk Board under a BOOT (build-own-operate-transfer) model. Using the 16.75-km tunnel may cost up to Rs 318 one way, with toll rates proposed at Rs 19 per km.

Also read: Karnataka to spend Rs 1 lakh crore to improve Bengaluru’s traffic, says deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore to tackle Bengaluru’s traffic problems. This includes a 40-km twin tunnel (Rs 42,500 crore), 41-km double-decker corridor (Rs 18,000 crore), 110-km elevated corridor (Rs 15,000 crore), 320-km of buffer roads (Rs 5,000 crore), a Rs 500-crore Sky Deck project, and the 74-km Bengaluru Business Corridor (Rs 27,000 crore).

Experts raise red flags

Urban mobility expert Ashwin Mahesh criticised the state’s approach: "There is no overarching objective. You can’t talk about boosting public transport while building car-centric tunnel roads. These decisions are made in isolation, with no strategic alignment."

He added, "If the goal is to increase public transport usage, then triple the bus fleet and fix footpaths. Those are cost-effective and impactful. Instead, we’re building vanity projects with no clear outcome."

Also read: Karnataka bike taxi ban: Why innovation, government policies collide at India’s start-up hub

Mahesh also questioned the legal and planning basis for large-scale projects like the tunnel: "A project of this scale must be part of the city’s master plan. But Bengaluru’s new master plan is long overdue. Without it, such proposals lack legitimacy and strategic context."

‘Need multi-modal approach’

RK Misra, another urban mobility expert, defended the idea of a multi-modal approach but criticised the lack of prioritisation: "Of course, metro expansion should be expedited, but roads are also necessary. We can’t expect someone coming from the airport to switch to the metro at Hebbal- it doesn’t reach every doorstep. People will continue buying cars. So why not provide multiple options, including tunnels?"

On the bike taxi ban, Misra added, "It clearly appeases the auto-rickshaw lobby. Unless you tip Rs 30–50, autos refuse rides. The e-bike taxi policy was a progressive step. Regulate it, don’t ban it. Right now, we’ve banned everything -Uber Shuttle, private last-mile services -while BMTC struggles to expand its fleet."

Also read: Bengaluru's traffic conundrum: Metro rail to the outskirts, suburban rail confined to city limits, and tunnel vision

BMLTA in cold storage

Satya Arikutharam, an independent consultant, flagged the delay in operationalising BMLTA: "The act mandated that BMLTA be set up within six months. It’s been two years, and nothing has been done. There seems to be a reluctance to bring in scrutiny, especially for costly, car-centric projects like tunnel roads."

He warned that the viability of the metro’s Hebbal–Sarjapur Metro corridor could be jeopardised. "Why would anyone invest in the metro when the government is building six-lane roads for cars? The reduction in Hebbal depot land is another sign that public transport is being sidelined," he said.

Also read: London-like transport authority to ease Bengaluru’s traffic chaos remains on paper