India’s IT capital Bengaluru has emerged as the second most congested city in the world in 2025, according to the latest Traffic Index released by Netherlands-based location technology firm TomTom. With an average congestion level of 74.4 per cent, Bengaluru trails only to Mexico City, which topped the global rankings, while Dublin secured the third position.
The annual TomTom Traffic Index evaluates cities across the world based on average travel time, congestion levels, and vehicle speeds, using large-scale anonymised mobility data. The findings once again underline the mounting pressure on Bengaluru’s road infrastructure amid rapid urbanisation, population growth, and an ever-increasing number of vehicles.
Longer commute times, slower speeds
The report noted that Bengaluru’s congestion level rose by 1.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. On average, drivers in the city covered only about 4.2 km in 15 minutes. A 10-km commute took approximately 36 minutes and nine seconds, reflecting the daily struggles faced by office-goers and commuters.
Traffic conditions worsened significantly during peak hours, when average vehicle speeds dropped to just 13.9 kmph. The index also identified May 17 as Bengaluru’s worst traffic day of the year. On that day, congestion peaked at 101 per cent, and at around 6 pm, it surged to a staggering 183 per cent. As a result, drivers could cover merely 2.5 km in 15 minutes during the evening rush.
Indian cities dominate global congestion list
Bengaluru was not the only Indian city to feature prominently in the global congestion rankings. Pune ranked fifth worldwide with a congestion level of 71.1 per cent. Mumbai followed at 18th place with 63.2 per cent, while New Delhi stood 23rd at 60.2 per cent. Kolkata, Jaipur and Chennai were ranked 29th, 30th and 32nd, respectively, each reporting congestion levels close to 59 per cent.
According to TomTom, the index is based on anonymised trip data covering more than 3.65 trillion kilometres worldwide. The data was collected throughout the year from drivers in major metropolitan and central city areas, encompassing the entire road network, including highways.
The findings highlight the growing need for sustainable urban mobility solutions, improved public transport, and better traffic management systems as Indian cities continue to grapple with worsening congestion levels.