Bengaluru's Traffic Congestion: A Growing Public Health and Climate Concern

Bengaluru’s traffic congestion is no longer just an everyday inconvenience. A new scientific study has found that the city now ranks among India’s leading contributors to carbon emissions from road transport, placing it at the centre of a growing public health and climate concern. The findings from the study led by researchers from France’s ‘Laboratory des Sciences du Climate et de Environment’ and ‘Université Paris-Sackle’ and collaborated with IIT Bombay and Paris-based urban data agency NEXQT SAS highlight rising levels of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, driven largely by vehicle density and chronic congestion across the city’s roads. What was once dismissed as seasonal dust or temporary congestion has now emerged as a serious public health and governance challenge, driven largely by traffic congestion, rising vehicle numbers and unchecked urban growth. Why Are Pollution Levels Rising in Bengaluru? An independent analysis that gained traction recently, led by content creator Unboxing Bengaluru, has helped bring the issue into sharper focus. After monitoring the city’s air quality for over a month, the analysis revealed that Bengaluru’s average PM2.5 levels hover around 40. While officially classified as “moderate", experts stress this is far from safe for long-term exposure. More worrying is the long-term trend. Bengaluru has over 35 years of PM2.5 data, and the pattern is clear: pollution levels have steadily worsened year after year. While the city is still cleaner than Delhi, researchers warn it is now approaching pollution levels seen in Beijing before China’s aggressive clean-air interventions began. Beijing’s experience offers a cautionary lesson. Following the city’s infamous “airpocalypse" in 2013, when AQI levels frequently touched 500, China implemented strict measures including shutting coal plants and restricting polluting vehicles. Over a decade, pollution levels fell by nearly 60%. Experts say Bengaluru still has time to act before reaching a similar breaking point. The problem extends beyond air quality alone. Bengaluru is now among India’s fastest-growing urban centres in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. A recent study published in Scientific Data found that while Mumbai records the highest road traffic emissions per kilometre, Bengaluru ranks among the top cities in total carbon emissions from road transport. Globally, carbon emissions continue to rise despite international climate agreements. Since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997, global CO2 emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 1.7%, compared to 0.9% in the years before. Even after a temporary dip during the pandemic, emissions increased again between 2019 and 2023. The IPCC warns that if current trends continue, the global carbon budget needed to keep temperature rise below 2°C could be exhausted by 2040. Is Traffic The Biggest Culprit for Bengaluru Pollution? Multiple studies now point to road transport as the dominant source of Bengaluru’s air pollution. An estimated 64% of the city’s PM2.5 pollution comes from vehicles, the highest share among major Indian cities. Bengaluru currently has around 1.23 crore registered vehicles, including nearly 84 lakh two-wheelers. Every day, an additional 2,563 vehicles are added to the city’s roads. Combined with broken roads, narrow lanes, endless idling at traffic signals and slow-moving congestion, emissions and road dust continue to rise. As urban planners note, cities built around private cars pollute continuously, while those designed for walking, cycling and efficient public transport leave a much smaller carbon footprint. What Bengaluru’s Own Data Shows Closer home, research on greenhouse gas emissions in Greater Bengaluru highlights the role of both transport and domestic energy use. A ward-level study of nearly 2,000 households found significant variations in electricity consumption across the city, suggesting that targeted energy efficiency measures could make a meaningful difference. Bengaluru’s Central Business District faces additional challenges due to dense traffic, energy-intensive buildings, limited public transport options and the urban heat island effect. These factors combine to push up emissions and energy demand, particularly for cooling. What Actions Should The State Government Take? Amid growing alarm, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has directed the Chief Secretary to form an expert committee to recommend immediate interventions. The move followed a warning from MLC Dinesh Gooligowda that Bengaluru could soon face conditions similar to Delhi without decisive action. Swipe Left For Next Video There are, however, examples within the city that show what is possible. Kempegowda International Airport has achieved net zero greenhouse gas emissions through solar power adoption, electric ground vehicles, efficient waste management and sustainable design. Experts say similar principles can be applied city-wide, from transport planning to building standards. Bengaluru still has a chance to avoid the worst outcomes, but the window is shrinking. Without rapid improvements in public transport, stricter emission controls, better road infrastructure and a shift away from car-centric planning, the city risks trading its once-liveable climate for chronic pollution. Why Are Pollution Levels Rising in Bengaluru? An independent analysis that gained traction recently, led by content creator Unboxing Bengaluru, has helped bring the issue into sharper focus. After monitoring the city’s air quality for over a month, the analysis revealed that Bengaluru’s average PM2.5 levels hover around 40. While officially classified as “moderate”, experts stress this is far from safe for long-term exposure. More worrying is the long-term trend. Bengaluru has over 35 years of PM2.5 data, and the pattern is clear: pollution levels have steadily worsened year after year. While the city is still cleaner than Delhi, researchers warn it is now approaching pollution levels seen in Beijing before China’s aggressive clean-air interventions began. Beijing’s experience offers a cautionary lesson. Following the city’s infamous “airpocalypse” in 2013, when AQI levels frequently touched 500, China implemented strict measures including shutting coal plants and restricting polluting vehicles. Over a decade, pollution levels fell by nearly 60%. Experts say Bengaluru still has time to act before reaching a similar breaking point. The problem extends beyond air quality alone. Bengaluru is now among India’s fastest-growing urban centres in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. A recent study published in Scientific Data found that while Mumbai records the highest road traffic emissions per kilometre, Bengaluru ranks among the top cities in total carbon emissions from road transport. Globally, carbon emissions continue to rise despite international climate agreements. Since the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997, global CO2 emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 1.7%, compared to 0.9% in the years before. Even after a temporary dip during the pandemic, emissions increased again between 2019 and 2023. The IPCC warns that if current trends continue, the global carbon budget needed to keep temperature rise below 2°C could be exhausted by 2040. Is Traffic The Biggest Culprit for Bengaluru Pollution? Multiple studies now point to road transport as the dominant source of Bengaluru’s air pollution. An estimated 64% of the city’s PM2.5 pollution comes from vehicles, the highest share among major Indian cities. Bengaluru currently has around 1.23 crore registered vehicles, including nearly 84 lakh two-wheelers. Every day, an additional 2,563 vehicles are added to the city’s roads. Combined with broken roads, narrow lanes, endless idling at traffic signals and slow-moving congestion, emissions and road dust continue to rise. As urban planners note, cities built around private cars pollute continuously, while those designed for walking, cycling and efficient public transport leave a much smaller carbon footprint. What Bengaluru’s Own Data Shows Closer home, research on greenhouse gas emissions in Greater Bengaluru highlights the role of both transport and domestic energy use. A ward-level study of nearly 2,000 households found significant variations in electricity consumption across the city, suggesting that targeted energy efficiency measures could make a meaningful difference. Bengaluru’s Central Business District faces additional challenges due to dense traffic, energy-intensive buildings, limited public transport options and the urban heat island effect. These factors combine to push up emissions and energy demand, particularly for cooling. What Actions Should The State Government Take? Amid growing alarm, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has directed the Chief Secretary to form an expert committee to recommend immediate interventions. The move followed a warning from MLC Dinesh Gooligowda that Bengaluru could soon face conditions similar to Delhi without decisive action. There are, however, examples within the city that show what is possible. Kempegowda International Airport has achieved net zero greenhouse gas emissions through solar power adoption, electric ground vehicles, efficient waste management and sustainable design. Experts say similar principles can be applied city-wide, from transport planning to building standards. Bengaluru still has a chance to avoid the worst outcomes, but the window is shrinking. Without rapid improvements in public transport, stricter emission controls, better road infrastructure and a shift away from car-centric planning, the city risks trading its once-liveable climate for chronic pollution.