Bengaluru, India’s tech hub known for its booming IT industry, has also become infamous for its paralyzing traffic. Recently, the city was thrown into the social media spotlight when a local resident shared his unusual solution to the city’s gridlock on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a flood of reactions and humour online.
Arpit Arora, the Bengaluru resident at the centre of this viral moment, described his ordeal on November 5. Stuck in his car for nearly two hours on an unmoving stretch of road, Arora decided to order dinner to his car.
While he settled in for what he expected would be an equally long wait for food, he was astonished when the order arrived within 10 minutes, even though traffic hadn’t budged. In his now-famous post, he wrote, “Peak Bengaluru moment is when you’re stuck in traffic for almost two hours, so you order dinner from your car, and it gets DELIVERED IN 10 MINUTES 😭😭 (khana khatam lekin ye traffic nahi).”
Check out the viral post below:
Arora’s post included three images: one showing his car in a sea of bumper-to-bumper vehicles, a second capturing the Swiggy delivery rider with his meal, and a final shot of his burger. His post struck a chord with other Bengaluru residents, racking up over 65,000 views and a slew of comments as people shared similar experiences and witty takes.
How Did Netizens React?
Responses ranged from lighthearted to deeply relatable. One user quipped, “10 minutes for food delivery? Even my crush doesn’t reply that fast!” Another user shared a personal account of Bengaluru’s traffic: “Reminds me of the day I left a friend’s place in Whitefield at 6 PM and reached my hotel at 9:30 PM.” A third commented on the unusual normalcy of the situation: “Welcome to namma Bengaluru. Get used to it, or think about relocating!” Others poked fun at the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, noting, “Entrepreneurs here can find a way to profit, even in a traffic jam.”
Bengaluru’s traffic woes are widely recognised, even beyond social media. The city recently ranked highest on the Traffic Quality Index (TQI) as the most congested city in India. Bengaluru topped the chart with an “extreme congestion” rating, followed by Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad with scores of 787, 747, and 718, respectively.
As amusing as this viral moment might be, it underscores a persistent issue for Bengaluru’s residents. While the city is known for its fast-paced growth and innovation, infrastructure struggles to keep up, and stories like Arora’s reveal the daily challenges faced by those navigating its roads. As netizens laugh, it’s a reminder that the city’s traffic issue remains a significant concern, making daily commutes an unpredictable adventure.