'Deeply grateful to Mumbai': Investor Ashish Kacholia after missing flight due to Bengaluru traffic

The trip from HSR Layout to Kempegowda International Airport ended up taking three hours, resulting in Ashish Kacholia missing his flight.

Prominent Indian investor Ashish Kacholia recently shared his frustration on social media after a Google Maps error caused him to miss a flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai. Kacholia, who co-founded Hungama Digital alongside the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, revealed that the mapping application significantly underestimated the travel time from his location in Bengaluru to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

Kacholia was travelling from HSR Layout, a residential area in Bengaluru, to KIA, which is located over 50 kilometres away from the city centre. According to Kacholia, Google Maps predicted that the journey would take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. However, due to Bengaluru’s notorious traffic and sudden rainfall, the trip ended up taking three hours, resulting in Kacholia missing his flight.

Kacholia took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his experience, saying, "Yesterday missed my flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai because journey took 3 hours instead of 1.45 as shown by Google Maps." He added a pointed remark about the city’s infrastructure, expressing gratitude to the Mumbai municipal administration for maintaining better traffic flow, saying, "Deeply grateful to Mumbai administration @mybmc for investing in infrastructure to keep traffic moving in maximum city."

Yesterday missed my flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai because journey took 3 hours instead of 1.45 as shown by Google maps.Deeply grateful to Mumbai administration @mybmc for investing in infrastructure to keep traffic moving in maximum city.Life is relative
Ashish Kacholia (@LuckyInvest_ARK) August 30, 2024

The post quickly gained traction, drawing responses from users who shared similar experiences. One commenter noted, "Recently, Google predictions have become quite unreliable. Always ask a local if weather conditions are not good in any part of the city."

"Cabbies in B'luru should compulsorily offer washroom breaks in between rides (just like overnight buses do)," a user joked.

Another user stated, "I think bangalore is the only place, where u can't rely the travel time shown on Google map.
Rarely happened in Gurgaon. (Even though I used to commute Gurgaon to Delhi every day)."

"Aim to reach the airport 2 hours before take off time at Bangalore. Add another 30 mins if the travel slot is in the peak hour. Commute is the biggest productivity killer in this great city," a user added.

Meanwhile, after co-founding Hungama Digital, Ashish Kacholia went on to establish Lucky Securities in 2003.