Bengaluru faced massive traffic congestion on Wednesday, leading up to an extended five-day weekend and a bandh called by farmer organizations protesting against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. The sudden surge in traffic flow between 5 pm and 8 pm, as office-goers returned home, created long vehicle queues and caused significant inconvenience to commuters.
Several factors contributed to the unprecedented traffic congestion in the city:
- Extended Weekend: Many people were leaving the city to enjoy an extended five-day weekend, which included Eid Milad-Un Nabi, a gazetted holiday; a Karnataka bandh on September 29, called by protestors over the Cauvery water dispute; Saturday and Sunday; and Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2, a national holiday.
- High Traffic Volume: The traffic count on Wednesday was exceptionally high, with approximately 3.5 lakh vehicles on the road by 7:30 pm. This was nearly twice the usual traffic volume for a Wednesday, which ranges from 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh vehicles.
- Weather Conditions: Rains in the city resulted in waterlogging on interior roads, exacerbating traffic congestion in various parts of Bengaluru.
The traffic police department worked to manage the situation, but the combination of these factors led to a challenging commuting experience for residents.
(Note: Please verify the local holiday and bandh information as it may change over time.)