Samajwadi MP, stuck in Bengaluru traffic gridlock, calls cops 'useless'
What's the story
Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai from Uttar Pradesh's Ghosi was recently stuck in Bengaluru due to severe traffic congestion while en route to catch a flight to Delhi for the Winter Session of Parliament. Fearing he would miss the flight, he tried reaching out to the traffic authorities for help, However, he alleged that neither could he get through to the local police, nor were there any traffic personnel on duty.
Public outcry
MP criticizes traffic management, police response
Frustrated, Rai took to the social media platform X to express his dismay with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He called Bengaluru's traffic "notorious" and slammed the traffic police as "useless and irresponsible." In a tweet, he wrote, "Hon'ble CM of Karnataka...you have the worst traffic management...and the most irresponsible, useless traffic police." He also shared a screenshot of his attempt to contact them.
Twitter Post
Samajwadi MP Rajeev Rai's post on X
Hon’ble @CMofKarnataka I m sorry but you have the worst traffic management, and most irresponsible, useless traffic police. They don’t even pick up phone calls, here is the SS of my attempt to speak to them , none of them picked up my call. Last one hour we are stuck at same… pic.twitter.com/GlWjJ4RgKH
— Rajeev Rai (@RajeevRai) November 30, 2025
Ongoing issue
Bengaluru's traffic woes continue despite political promises
Bengaluru has been consistently ranked among the slowest cities for traffic in global indexes, India Today reported. Despite political assurances, the city continues to grapple with congestion, drawing criticism from leaders and business heads alike. Recently, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla jokingly remarked that traveling in space is easier than navigating Bengaluru's traffic. Entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw also locked horns with the state government over deteriorating infrastructure and gridlock.
Controversial plans
Proposed solutions face opposition
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently proposed a ₹19,000 crore underground tunnel road network to ease traffic congestion. If executed, the 18-kilometer twin-tunnel road will connect Hebbal with Central Silk Board. However, the proposal has been met with strong opposition from scientists, urban planning experts, and civic activists over its high cost, environmental impact, and questionable effectiveness in addressing traffic congestion. Key concerns also include harming groundwater and damaging sensitive heritage sites like Lalbagh.