Wed Dec 24 16:33:28 UTC 2025: Summary:

Bengaluru residents face holiday travel chaos as they leave the city for Christmas and New Year. Massive traffic jams clog major exit roads, causing significant delays and inflated travel costs. Popular tourist destinations near Bengaluru are experiencing a surge in visitors. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has added 1,000 buses to accommodate the increased demand, but air and bus fares have still risen sharply.

News Article:

Bengaluru Holiday Exodus Turns Nightmarish as Traffic Snarls, Travel Costs Soar

Bengaluru, December 24, 2025 – What was meant to be a relaxing holiday break for many Bengaluru residents has quickly turned into a stressful ordeal as massive traffic jams grip the city’s exit routes. The mass exodus began on Wednesday as people looked to escape the city ahead of Christmas and the long week leading up to New Year’s.

Major thoroughfares, including Mysuru Road, Tumakuru Road, and Old Madras Road, have experienced severe congestion. The Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway was particularly affected, with delays of up to an hour reported at toll plazas.

“Traffic kept getting worse as we moved ahead, and the toll gates became major choke points,” said Suresh Naik P., an IT professional traveling from Electronics City.

While the city’s traffic police implemented measures to manage congestion around shopping malls, the sheer volume of vehicles has overwhelmed the system. A senior police official stated that while complete gridlock was avoided, the traffic volume was significantly higher than usual.

To accommodate the increased demand, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has deployed 1,000 additional buses. However, air and private bus fares have skyrocketed, with ticket prices to popular destinations like Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Mumbai increasing by 20-30%.

“Trains were completely full, and bus tickets were almost as expensive as flights,” said Murali Krishnan, a resident of JP Nagar.

The surge in travel costs and traffic congestion is expected to continue through the first week of January, leaving many Bengaluru residents frustrated as they attempt to enjoy their holiday break. Meanwhile, tourist destinations such as Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Gokarna and Mysuru are experiencing a large influx of visitors.

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