Ahmedabad Ranks 7th in India for Traffic Congestion

Ahmedabad :  Ahmedabad has secured the 7th position in India and 43rd globally for traffic congestion, as per the latest TomTom Traffic Index 2024. Despite efforts to regulate traffic, the city continues to struggle with prolonged travel times, causing significant delays for commuters.

According to the report, the average time taken for a 10 km journey in Ahmedabad is 29 minutes and 3 seconds, reflecting a marginal improvement of just 30 seconds compared to 2023. This means an average commuter in the city loses approximately 73 hours annually, equivalent to nearly three full days stuck in traffic.

Among Indian cities, Kolkata tops the congestion rankings with an average travel time of 34 minutes and 33 seconds per 10 km, closely followed by Bengaluru at 34 minutes and 10 seconds.

Bengaluru’s traffic situation has deteriorated further, with travel times increasing by 50 seconds from last year. Commuters in the IT hub now spend nearly 117 hours per year (almost five days) stuck in traffic.

On the global front, Barranquilla, Colombia, holds the highest congestion rank, where commuters take 36 minutes to cover 10 km. Kolkata ranks second, Bengaluru third, and Pune fourth in the world for the worst traffic congestion.

Despite strict enforcement of traffic regulations, Ahmedabad has made minimal progress in reducing congestion. The slight reduction in travel time suggests ongoing road infrastructure projects and traffic control measures are having some impact, but more effective long-term solutions are needed.

As Ahmedabad continues to grow as a commercial and industrial hub, traffic congestion remains a pressing issue. Experts suggest that enhancing public transport, developing smart traffic management systems, and improving road infrastructure could help ease the burden on daily commuters.

With urban expansion and increasing vehicle density, Ahmedabad faces a critical need for sustainable traffic solutions. While the city’s global rank of 368 in overall congestion indicates a relatively better position than other Indian cities, it still ranks high enough to warrant immediate action from city planners and authorities.

Investments in metro connectivity, improved road planning, and digital traffic monitoring will be essential in tackling the growing congestion problem. If not addressed, Ahmedabad’s rank may climb higher in the congestion index in the coming years.