Just read this news article – https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/stuck-in-bengaluru-traffic-resident-coins-newton-s-fourth-law-auto-at-rest-will-remain-at-rest-101751097951026.html

Newton’s 4th Law of Bengaluru: “A vehicle at rest will remain at rest”
If you’ve recently found yourself laughing (or crying) at the viral headline “Auto at rest will remain at rest,” you’re not alone. A Bengaluru resident humorously coined what they called Newton’s Fourth Law after being stuck in traffic so long, they felt like a part of the pavement.

It’s funny — until it isn’t.

Because for many of us in Bengaluru, this has become our reality. You leave home by 8:30 or even 9 AM, hoping to reach your office by 10. But you’re still inching through Outer Ring Road, Silk Board, or Marathahalli, staring at the taillights in front of you, wondering: How is this normal?

The Congestion Conundrum
Bengaluru now has over 1.2 crore registered vehicles. Two-wheelers and cars have surged over 20% in just two years. Yet, infrastructure has not kept pace.

A few more hard truths:

Average speed in peak corridors like Silk Board? Just 4–5 km/h.

A 10 km commute can easily take 60–90 minutes on bad days.

Following the bike-taxi ban, congestion spiked from 59% to 77% — in one week.

Even midnight traffic jams are becoming normal thanks to Metro construction and roadwork nightmares.

What’s Being Done? (And Is It Enough?)
Yes, there are plans — and plenty of promises:

Flyovers, tunnels, and Peripheral Ring Roads worth thousands of crores.

Metro Phase II, which is behind schedule and only partially operational.

Dedicated bus lanes that show promise but haven’t been scaled.

Proposals for underground corridors, AI-powered traffic signals, and more.

But most of it is either too little, too slow, or caught in red tape and politics.

What It’s Costing Us
The impact of this isn’t just about wasted fuel. It’s about:

Missed meetings, interviews, and opportunities.

Burnout before your workday even begins.

Cancelled dinner plans or time stolen from your kids.

Economic losses for the city in billions, due to lost productivity.

The irony? Bengaluru was once India’s poster child for innovation. Today, we can build software for global traffic management — but can’t drive 5 km without losing our sanity.

What Can We Do (Right Now)?
While we wait for the macro fixes to catch up, here are micro moves that can help:

Time-shift your workday: Starting early or late can make a huge difference.

Work from home (even partially): If your role allows, fight for hybrid options.

Carpool, metro + last mile hacks: Use combinations that minimize exposure to gridlocks.

Push for accountability: Support public campaigns that track infrastructure deadlines and performance.

Let’s Talk: What Do You Think?
Here’s where you come in. Let’s make this a conversation that goes beyond rants.

What’s the worst traffic experience you’ve had in Bengaluru?

If you had the power to fix one thing today, what would it be — roads, policy, enforcement, or public transport?

Have you found a smart hack or a “secret” route that works?

Should companies take responsibility by adapting office hours or giving WFH flexibility?

Is Bengaluru still worth it — or is the traffic crisis a deal-breaker?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s not just complain — let’s create a collective voice that pushes for smarter, faster solutions. Because a city full of thinkers deserves roads that move