Latest news with #BengaluruTrafficPolice
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
EaseMyTrip co-founder commits ₹1 crore to fight Bengaluru traffic
EaseMyTrip co-founder Prashant Pitti has announced a Rs 1 crore commitment to tackle traffic congestion in Bengaluru using AI and satellite data, urging authorities and citizens to join hands in fixing the city's growing traffic problem. In a detailed post on X, Pitti shared that he was stuck in traffic for over two hours while covering just 11 km late at night in Bengaluru. He said the worst part was being stranded at a choke point on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) for 100 minutes, with no traffic light or police officer in sight. "I am committing INR 1 Cr to find Bangalore Choke-Points via Google Maps & AI. 11 km ??' 2.15 hours in Bangalore Traffic on Saturday late night! I was stuck at one choke-point at ORR, where I spent 100 minutes struggling to understand why there is no traffic-light or cop here," Pitti posted on X. However, he made it clear that he does not want to simply complain about the issue. "But I don't want one more 'Bengaluru Traffic Meme or Rant'. I WANT TO FIX IT," he said. Pitti said his project will use data from Google Maps, especially the new "Road Management Insight" feature launched in April 2025. This city-level data, available in Big Query format, can be used alongside satellite imagery to identify all choke points and their timings across Bengaluru. "Using Google Data and Satellite Imagery, we can list down all the choke-points & their exact timings in a month. For the traffic department to work on those areas specifically," Pitti added. He plans to fund the following with his ₹1 crore commitment: Hire one to two senior machine learning/AI engineers. Budget for using Google Maps API, satellite imagery, GPUs, and field trials, and make the entire project open-source so that other Indian cities can also benefit. Pitti said he is ready to start work as soon as the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) cooperate by opening raw data feeds or APIs and appoint a team committed to act on the insights. He urged citizens to help saying., "TAG anyone you know in the Bangalore Traffic Office, BBMP or the Traffic Commissioner's office, let this hit the right inbox." "ML/AI folks: comment "IN", if you can work along part-time to end this menace Every commuter who's sick of bleeding time: comment or share. More noise greater the faster response," he wrote. "Bangalore is India's tech future; and people making it happen deserve MUCH better," Pitti further wrote. This comes as the Karnataka government claims to be making efforts to improve the city's infrastructure. On June 22, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar posted on X that the Hebbal-Silk Board underground tunnel project will help commuters skip over 25 bottlenecks and save more than 45 minutes of travel time every day. Separately, Shivakumar also claimed that the state government is implementing the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act to better manage the city.
India Today
5 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Tired of Bengaluru traffic, entrepreneur offers Rs 1 crore to fix it. Here's the plan
Bengaluru's traffic problems are no secret, but one entrepreneur is now stepping up with a concrete plan to fix a post on X, Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, announced that he will invest Rs 1 crore to solve Bengaluru's worst traffic choke points using artificial intelligence, Google Maps data, and satellite decided to sign up for this project after he found himself stuck in traffic for over two hours while covering just 11 kilometres on a Saturday night. In his post, Pitti detailed his experience as he spent around 100 minutes at a single congestion point on the Outer Ring Road, questioning the absence of traffic lights or on-ground 'I was stuck at one choke-point at ORR, where I spent 100 mins struggling to understand why there is no traffic-light or cop here,' Pitti of adding to the chorus of rants and memes about Bengaluru traffic, Pitti decided to invest in a long-term solution. 'I don't want one more Bengaluru traffic meme or rant. I want to fix it,' he plan is rooted in data. In April 2025, Google began offering a tool called "Road Management Insight," which provides city-level traffic data through this data along with satellite imagery, Pitti proposed mapping all of Bengaluru's congestion points and identifying the specific times they become bottlenecks. This, according to him, would allow the Bengaluru traffic department to implement focused interventions in the most problematic zones.'I am willing to spend Rs 1 crore on this project by funding: 1-2 senior ML/AI engineers. And providing budget for using Google Maps API calls, Satellite Imagery and GPUs,' he the success of the project depends on the cooperation of civic authorities. Pitti has called on the Bengaluru Traffic Police and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to open their raw data feeds or APIs and designate an official team to act on the insights generated by the a look at the post here: Furthermore, Pitti emphasised Bengaluru's importance as India's tech capital and said the people driving its growth 'deserve much better.'As social media users shared their own experiences of navigating Bengaluru's gridlocked roads, many applauded Prashant Pitti for his proactive approach to a long-standing civic by the overwhelming support, Pitti shared an enthusiastic update in a follow-up post. 'You know the problem is worth solving when EVERY techie (worth their salt) in Bangalore is messaging you to work pro-bono.'- EndsMust Watch
Mint
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
EaseMyTrip co-founder stuck in Bengaluru traffic for 2 hours, pledges ₹1 crore to map chokepoints using AI
EaseMyTrip co-founder Prashant Pitti recently endured a two-hour traffic jam while covering just 11 kilometres on a Saturday night. Bengaluru's notorious traffic has long been a growing concern in India's tech capital. After experiencing it firsthand, Pitti has pledged ₹ 1 crore to identify choke points and help address the issue. Pitti announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he has a proposal to find Bangalore chokepoints using Google Maps, artificial Intelligence and Machine learning. 'I was stuck at one choke-point at ORR, where I spent 100 mins struggling to understand why there is no traffic-light or cop here,' Pitti said in his post. Pitti's initiative aims to move beyond mere complaints and towards tangible solutions as he firmly stated, 'I don't want one more Bengaluru Traffic Memes or Rant. I WANT TO FIX IT.' Pitti has put forward a proposal on X, which talks about potential solutions to identify and fix the traffic bottlenecks in the city. Google Maps data and AI: Utilising Google Maps' 'Road Management Insight', city-level data in Big Query format, along with satellite imagery. Chokepoint identification: The goal is to list down all the chokepoints and their exact timings in a month. This retrieved data will then be shared with the traffic department, who in turn will focus their efforts on those areas specifically. To bring the vision to life, Pitti is committing ₹ 1 crore, which will fund the following: Senior ML/AI engineers: Hiring 1-2 experienced machine learning and artificial intelligence professionals to join the cause. Technological Infrastructure: Covering the budget for using Google Maps API calls, Satellite Imagery access and powerful GPU infrastructure required for data processing and model training. Pitti emphasises that the success of this project depends on collaboration from local authorities. He is also actively seeking support from others on X. Government Partnership: The project will commence only when the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) or Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) provide access to raw data feeds or APIs and designates a dedicated team to act on the generated insights. ML/AI community to act: he urged professionals to comment 'IN' if they are willing to contribute their expertise in a part-time setup, and end this menace.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- The Hindu
Bengaluru police launch drive against sub-standard helmets
In a bid to minimise fatal accidents and ensure safety among two-wheeler riders, Bengaluru Traffic Police, in coordination with Transport Department and Department of Legal Metrology, have launched a drive to contain use of sub-standard helmets. According to the police, a majority of fatal accidents are attributed to the use of sub-standard helmets. Using helmets ISI marked by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will minimise fatalities to the maximum extent, a police officer said. As per law, riders, including pillion riders and children, need to wear ISI-marked helmets by BIS. As part of the drive, cases were registered against two-wheeler riders for using 'half helmets' and plastic headgear. Officials of all three departments visited helmet shops, checking their stocks and creating awareness, asking shopkeepers and riders not to compromise on safety. Notices were issued to several shops selling helmets seeking an explanation on the sale of sub-standard helmets. A crackdown on roadside vendors selling plastic caps and half-sized sub-standard helmets was also undertaken. 'Most of them buy these cheap products and wear them just to avoid being penalised. They, in no way, provide riders any safety,' a police official said.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'Bengaluru auto fares have gone up by 50%' : PC Mohan calls for fare regulations amid bike taxi ban
Following the statewide ban on bike taxis in Karnataka, autorickshaw fares in Bengaluru have reportedly skyrocketed, leaving daily commuters frustrated. Many are calling on the state government to regulate pricing and crack down on exploitative practices by auto drivers and aggregator platforms. Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan highlighted the issue with a personal example. (Representational) Passengers across the city have taken to social media to voice their concerns, with reports of exorbitant fares even for short distances. Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan has joined the chorus, urging the Karnataka government to take immediate action to protect commuters from what he called unchecked digital monopolies and collapsing fare regulation. In a post on X, PC Mohan highlighted the issue with a personal example. 'A 1.5-km auto ride through aggregator apps now costs over ₹ 70. The fare structure has completely broken down. The government must step in, enforce metered fares, and dismantle digital cartelisation. Commuters have already been overcharged by ₹ 1,010 crore,' he wrote. (Also Read: Bengaluru PG owner allegedly assaults woman after summoning her over missing ring: Report) Check out his post here: He further added that auto fares have surged by nearly 50% since the bike taxi ban. 'A 3-km ride now costs between ₹ 120 and ₹ 150. Riders are forced to pay extra 'tips' of ₹ 30 to ₹ 100 just to avoid cancellations. With meters largely dysfunctional and no oversight on aggregator pricing, urgent government intervention is needed,' he said. Commuters have also shared their frustration online, demanding practical solutions from the transport department. One user suggested that the state should legalise multiple transport options such as bike taxis, shared autos, and point-to-point Tata Ace vans with fixed fares to increase accessibility and affordability. Another user commented, 'Try taking an auto from KR Puram railway station after a train arrives. Even for 1–2 km, you'll experience the exploitative surge pricing first-hand. Government officials need to experience this like regular citizens do.' A third post summed up the broader urban mobility crisis, stating, 'Bangalore has collapsed. I've spent four hours a day stuck in traffic all week. Outer Ring Road is a nightmare, and no one seems to care.' (Also Read: Bengaluru Traffic Police issues advisory amid heavy congestion on Outer Ring Road
