Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Bengaluru Airport Journey Rekindles Debate Over City Traffic
Nihal Shetty lives in Bengaluru and shared a story about going to the airport.
He said he left at 6:10 in the morning for a flight at 8:10.
The trip was 35 km, and he said he arrived with time to eat breakfast.
Shetty believes many Indian cities have busy traffic, but Bengaluru gets blamed more often.
Some people agreed with him.
Others said 6 am is too early to show what traffic is like during the morning rush.
One commenter described a much longer airport trip at night.
Other people pointed to potholes, poor roads and difficult-to-predict travel times.
The discussion showed that journeys can vary depending on when people travel and the road conditions.
Bengaluru resident Nihal Shetty said he left at 6:10 am for an 8:10 am flight and reached the airport with time for breakfast.
He said the trip covered 35 km and, according to the report, took under an hour.
Shetty argued that peak-hour congestion affects cities across India and Bengaluru is unfairly singled out as the “poster child” for complaints.
Some users said 6 am is before the morning rush, which they said tends to begin around 8 or 9 am; others challenged him to repeat the trip regularly.
Other commenters cited unpredictable travel times, poor roads, potholes, speed breakers and driving habits as factors that complicate Bengaluru commutes.
- Who
- Nihal Shetty, a Bengaluru resident, and users who responded to his post on X.
- What
- Shetty's account of an early-morning airport trip prompted debate about Bengaluru traffic and whether the city is unfairly singled out.
- When
- Shetty posted on X on October 10, 2026; the News18 report was published October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Bengaluru, India, on a journey to Kempegowda International Airport.
- Why
- Shetty argued that traffic congestion affects cities across India, while critics said his early trip did not reflect rush-hour conditions and cited other commuting difficulties.
Bengaluru Is Singled Out
The Journey Does Not Show Rush Hour
What Shetty's trip demonstrates
Bengaluru Is Singled Out
Shetty said he reached the airport comfortably and argued that peak-hour traffic affects Indian cities generally, while Bengaluru is often made the focus of complaints.
The Journey Does Not Show Rush Hour
Critics said a 6:10 am departure is before the morning rush, which they said generally picks up around 8 or 9 am; some challenged him to make the trip regularly.
What makes commuting difficult
Bengaluru Is Singled Out
Shetty's argument emphasized that congestion is not unique to Bengaluru and that the city receives disproportionate criticism.
The Journey Does Not Show Rush Hour
Other users said commuting problems also include poor roads, potholes, speed breakers, driving habits and unpredictable journey times.
- Traveler
- Nihal Shetty, a Bengaluru resident
- Departure
- 6:10 am
- Flight departure
- 8:10 am
- Distance
- 35 km
- Reported trip duration
- Under an hour
- Post date
- October 10, 2026
- Contrasting journey
- A user said they left HSR Layout at 8:30 pm and reached Kempegowda International Airport at 12:30 am for a 2 am flight.
