Bengaluru’s success has also created major problems. The city continues to attract companies, jobs and people from across India, but its roads, public transport and civic infrastructure are struggling to keep up.
At the India Today Karnataka Summit 2026, experts discussed how Bengaluru can manage its rapid growth while remaining an attractive place to live and work.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Srinivas Alavilli of WRI India said public transport use has increased significantly in Bengaluru in recent years. Bus and Metro ridership has grown because of schemes such as Shakti, better bus services and new Metro connections.
This shows that people are willing to leave their cars and two-wheelers at home when public transport is convenient.
Revathy Ashok said more needs to be done. While Metro and suburban rail are important for the future, buses will remain essential in the short term. She called for more reliable buses, better bus stops and real-time information about bus arrivals.
MORE ROADS ALONE WON’T SOLVE TRAFFIC
The experts said Bengaluru has limited space to build new roads because many areas are already heavily developed.
Ashok suggested that some congested areas may need solutions such as underground infrastructure instead of simply adding more roads.
NA Haris also stressed the importance of better footpaths and dedicated spaces for street vendors. Simply removing hawkers from pavements, he said, would not solve the larger problem.
The experts also said public transport can succeed only if people are willing to use it instead of private vehicles.
‘DEMAGNETISE BENGALURU’
Brand expert Harish Bijoor said Bengaluru needs to be “demagnetised”. His argument was that too many companies, workers and investments are concentrated in the city, while its infrastructure cannot expand quickly enough to handle the pressure.
He suggested developing nearby areas such as Ramanagara and other satellite cities and connecting them better to Bengaluru through Metro, suburban rail and other transport systems.
GROWTH NEEDS LIMITS
Bijoor warned that Bengaluru cannot continue expanding without considering the limits of its infrastructure.
Alavilli, however, said the city’s ability to create jobs should be seen as a strength. The problem is that infrastructure has not grown at the same pace as the economy and population.
He also pointed to shortages of traffic police, engineers and other government officials needed to manage the growing city.
WHAT BENGALURU NEEDS
The discussion highlighted the need for better public transport, improved infrastructure, development outside the city and greater citizen participation.
Companies also have a role to play by encouraging employees to use public transport and reducing unnecessary daily travel.
The overall message was clear: Bengaluru’s growth cannot stop, but it needs to be better planned and spread across the wider region.
