On this 6km Bengaluru route, walking beats driving. See viral Google Maps photo

Screenshot of the time difference on Google Maps. (Image: @imabhinashS/X)

In a not-so-new revelation for countless Bengaluru residents, Google Maps has underscored a startling truth: in India's Silicon Valley, walking can be faster than driving. This glaring insight into the city’s traffic nightmare has prompted renewed outcry over Bengaluru's inadequate infrastructure.

Ayush Singh, a user on the microblogging platform X, shared a Google Maps screenshot comparing travel times from Brigade Metropolis to KR Puram Railway Station—a distance of about 6 km.

Singh’s screenshot revealed a paradox: while driving this route takes 44 minutes, walking shaves off two minutes, making it the faster option at 42 minutes.

“This happens only in Bangalore,” Singh remarked, encapsulating the frustrations of many city dwellers. His post quickly went viral, amassing over 4.3 lakh views in just one day. The viral screenshot ignited a lively debate, with some agreeing on the inefficiencies of Bengaluru's traffic system, while others challenged the notion that this was unique to the city.

This happens only in Bangalore pic.twitter.com/MQlCP7DsU7

— Ayush Singh (@imabhinashS) July 25, 2024

“Same story across many metro cities in the world,” read another, to which Singh responded: “Apply in Delhi as well after rain.”

A third wrote: “Great. Still Bangalore is great. It’s the best city in India.”

Another chimed in with a suggestion: “If time is so important to you, then I’d like to tell you that KR Puram is 3rd metro station from Garudacharpalya. Next time you can try it.”