Top Indian Cities With Worst Traffic: Where Do Delhi and Bengaluru Stand?

India’s rapid urban growth has fuelled economic development, booming tech hubs, and modern lifestyles. But alongside these positives lies one of the biggest urban nightmares - traffic congestion. Recent data from the TomTom Traffic Index has placed several Indian cities among the world’s most gridlocked, highlighting how everyday commuting has turned into a challenge for millions.

Top 10 Indian Cities Struggling With Traffic

According to global traffic rankings, here are the Indian cities where covering just 10 km feels like a marathon:

1. Kolkata, West Bengal

Kolkata tops the list in India and stands second worldwide, with an average of 34 minutes 33 seconds per 10 km. Narrow lanes, dense markets, and high vehicle density make driving here a tough task. Despite this, the city’s strong public transport system offers some relief.

2. Bengaluru, Karnataka

The IT capital of India is ranked third globally, clocking 34 minutes 10 seconds per 10 km. Rapid migration and uneven infrastructure growth have created notorious traffic snarls, especially around tech parks. Daily commutes often eat into productivity and personal time.

3. Pune, Maharashtra

Known as an education and IT hub, Pune secures the fourth spot worldwide with 33 minutes 22 seconds per 10 km. Outdated road networks and limited planning for its growing population are the biggest contributors to its traffic chaos.

4. Hyderabad, Telangana

Hyderabad, once praised for smoother travel than Bengaluru, now ranks 18th globally. On average, commuters spend 31 minutes 30 seconds per 10 km. A rise in private vehicles and rapid urban growth has worsened the situation, though metro expansion has offered some respite.

5. Chennai, Tamil Nadu

At 31st globally, Chennai records 30 minutes 20 seconds per 10 km. Heavy port traffic, high vehicle numbers, and long queues on arterial roads during peak hours contribute to the congestion.

6. Mumbai, Maharashtra

India’s financial capital fares slightly better, ranking 39th globally. Travel time here is 29 minutes 26 seconds per 10 km. Overcrowded suburbs, inadequate road space, and monsoon flooding often push the city to a standstill.

7. Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Ahmedabad stands at 43rd worldwide, where old city congestion mixes with rapid urban sprawl. Commuters experience unpredictable delays almost daily.

8. Ernakulam, Kerala

Ranked 50th internationally, Ernakulam is seeing mounting traffic issues due to its growing commercial importance. A limited road network struggles against an ever-rising number of vehicles.

9. Jaipur, Rajasthan

The Pink City finds itself at 52nd globally, with 28 minutes 28 seconds per 10 km. Unplanned urban growth and increasing car ownership have strained its road infrastructure.

10. New Delhi

Surprisingly, the national capital performs better than most, ranking 122nd globally. Thanks to wider roads and the expansive Delhi Metro, the average travel time is 23 minutes 24 seconds per 10 km, far lower than other megacities.

Why Traffic Congestion is a Serious Concern

Traffic jams in India are more than just frustrating delays - they reduce productivity, worsen air pollution, and directly impact the quality of urban life. With Indian cities leading global congestion charts, this is not just a transportation issue but an urban survival challenge.

Can India Overcome Its Traffic Woes?

Solutions like metro expansion, smart traffic management systems, improved road networks, and better public transport integration could ease the crisis. But with urbanisation growing faster than infrastructure, the big question remains - will Indian cities ever see smoother roads, or is congestion the unavoidable price of growth?