Bengaluru, India’s tech capital, may soon see a congestion tax targeting single-occupancy vehicles on high-traffic corridors, including the city’s crucial Outer Ring Road (ORR). The proposal, aimed at decongesting roads and promoting shared mobility, was discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh with corporate leaders, urban planners, and infrastructure experts.
Congestion Tax and Other Key Proposals
The congestion charge would require drivers of single-occupancy cars to pay a fee while entering congested zones like the ORR, one of the most gridlocked stretches in Bengaluru. “If we enter the ORR and there is only one person in the car, you have to pay money,” said Yulu co-founder R.K. Mishra, adding that the measure would incentivize carpooling and reduce private car usage.
Other measures in the 90-day action plan include stricter quality checks on road asphalting, accelerated infrastructure works, improved drainage, and pothole repairs.
City Leaders Call for Quick Fixes and Long-Term Solutions
Industry veteran Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who has frequently criticized the city’s civic issues, welcomed the government’s assurance to deliver visible improvements within 90 days. “We must deter the indiscriminate use of private vehicles and introduce deterrents where necessary,” she said, urging quick fixes like road repairs while working toward permanent solutions.
Mixed Reactions and Concerns
Experts, however, have warned that congestion pricing without improved public transport could burden citizens. Entrepreneur T. Mohandas Pai called it “a farce” unless supported by better bus and metro connectivity. Others highlighted that Bengaluru’s transport crisis stems from delayed metro and suburban rail projects and inadequate bus networks, forcing reliance on private vehicles.
The Road Ahead
While still under consideration, the congestion tax proposal reflects growing pressure on authorities to address Bengaluru’s notorious traffic gridlock, pothole-ridden roads, and stalled infrastructure. If implemented, the policy could reshape urban mobility patterns — but only if paired with robust public transport upgrades.
