Diwali rush chokes Bengaluru roads: 1.5-hr journey for 7km leaves Reddit user worried about wife going into labour

Bengaluru faced severe traffic congestion on October 17 (Friday) evening and October 18 (Saturday) morning as thousands of residents left the city for the long Deepavali weekend. Major bus terminals and arterial roads were choked, adding to commuter stress.

A Reddit post highlighted the difficulties faced by residents. One commuter described taking his eight-month pregnant wife for a routine check-up, only to spend 1.5 hours covering just 7 km on HAL Road near Varthur. He said the experience left him feeling helpless, imagining the chaos if it had been a real emergency. “What if she went into labour right now?" he asked. The incident reflected broader concerns over Bengaluru’s crumbling infrastructure and worsening traffic.

What caused the congestion?

Bus terminals, including Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic) and the Mysuru Road Satellite Bus Station, saw huge crowds. Shortages of official public transport vehicles forced some travellers to abandon trips, while private operators charged fares more than double the usual rates.

The state transport body responded by deploying 2,500 extra buses across four days to ease pressure. Last-minute holiday shopping further slowed movement in busy market areas, affecting both pedestrians and vehicles.

How are authorities responding?

Officials had warned residents of delays at key hotspots and increased personnel to manage the heavy flow of traffic. Despite these measures, commuters continued to face long waits, raising questions about the city’s road infrastructure and readiness for major holiday travel.