Pune, 22 January 2025: Traffic emerged as one of the key issues during this year’s election debates, and while recent police data suggests that average traffic speed in Pune has improved by around 10%, congestion on city roads remains a major challenge.
According to the 2025 global congestion data released by TomTom, Pune ranks fifth among the world’s most congested cities. It is also the second most congested city in India, after Bengaluru, to feature in the global top 10.
The report highlights the daily struggle of commuters, stating that motorists in Pune take an average of 15 minutes to cover just 4.5 kilometres.
During peak hours, the average vehicle speed drops to 18 kmph, clearly reflecting the severity of traffic congestion. Overall congestion in the city stands at 71.1%, with commuters losing about 152 hours every year during rush hours.
Globally, Mexico City tops the list of the world’s most congested cities, followed by Bengaluru. At the national level, Bengaluru ranks first in India, with Pune and Mumbai following closely behind.
TomTom attributes traffic congestion in Indian cities to rapid urbanisation, increasing vehicle ownership, narrow roads, encroachments on road space, and a lack of scientific urban planning. These factors continue to put pressure on already stretched infrastructure.
Citizens and experts have called on the Central and State governments, along with local authorities, to implement long-term, data-driven solutions. Traffic specialists emphasise strengthening public transport systems and encouraging their use through better infrastructure, warning that inaction could impact Pune’s economic, social, environmental and cultural development.
Notably, Pune was ranked fourth among the world’s slowest cities in TomTom’s 2024 study. In 2025, the city has shown slight improvement by moving down to fifth place globally, but congestion levels remain critically high, underscoring the need for urgent and sustained intervention.
