Discover how EaseMyTrip co-founder Prashant Pitti plans to reduce Bengaluru traffic by 25-30% using AI, Google Maps, and satellite imagery. Learn about his ₹1 crore initiative to tackle congestion in India’s tech hub.
Bengaluru, often dubbed India’s Silicon Valley, is notorious for its crippling traffic congestion, costing residents countless hours and impacting productivity. In a groundbreaking move, Prashant Pitti, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, has pledged to reduce Bengaluru traffic by an ambitious 25-30% within a year. Backed by a personal investment of ₹1 crore, Pitti’s initiative leverages artificial intelligence (AI), Google Maps’ advanced tools, and satellite imagery to tackle the city’s chronic gridlock. Here’s an in-depth look at how this bold plan aims to transform urban mobility in Bengaluru.
A Personal Mission to Solve Bengaluru Traffic
The spark for Pitti’s initiative came on July 14, 2025, when he endured a frustrating two-hour journey to cover just 11 kilometers on Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR). Stuck for 100 minutes at a single choke point without traffic signals or police intervention, Pitti decided to take action. “I don’t want another Bengaluru traffic meme or rant. I want to fix it,” he declared on X, announcing his ₹1 crore commitment to fund a tech-driven solution for traffic congestion.
On July 24, 2025, Pitti shared an update on X, expressing confidence in achieving a 25-30% reduction in Bengaluru traffic. His plan has gained traction through high-level meetings with key stakeholders, including the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP), Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), City Police, Google India, researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and mobility entrepreneurs. This collaborative approach marks a significant step toward addressing Bengaluru’s traffic woes.
I am committing INR 1 Cr to find Bangalore Choke-Points via Google Maps & AL.
— Prashant Pitti (@ppitti) July 14, 2025
11 km → 2.15 hours in Bangalore Traffic on Saturday late night!
I was stuck at one choke-point at ORR, where I spent 100 mins struggling to understand why there is no traffic-light or cop here!
But… pic.twitter.com/b8Nf5vnUKf
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A Data-Driven Strategy to Ease Bengaluru Traffic
Pitti’s initiative focuses on optimizing existing infrastructure rather than relying on costly new projects, a common challenge in Bengaluru’s urban planning. His strategy revolves around four key pillars designed to deliver measurable results:
1. Bengaluru Traffic Simulators
Using advanced simulation models from BTP and IISc, Pitti’s team aims to generate millions of re-routing permutations to prioritize travel time over distance. By integrating anonymized data from mobility giants like Google, Uber, Ola, and Rapido, these simulators will predict and prevent gridlocks, offering a proactive approach to Bengaluru traffic reduction.
2. Fixing the Feedback Loop
Pitti has proposed enhancing an existing government app for reporting civic issues like potholes, illegal parking, broken signals, and waterlogging. By taking ownership and ensuring transparent resolution timelines, this initiative aims to foster accountability and empower citizens to address traffic congestion effectively.
3. Hyperlocal Rain Predictor
Unpredictable rainfall often disrupts road maintenance and exacerbates Bengaluru traffic. Pitti’s team is developing a hyperlocal rain predictor to improve planning for road closures and drainage repairs, minimizing weather-related disruptions.
4. Green Wave Signals
A pilot project to synchronize traffic lights is underway, allowing vehicles to move in waves and reduce stops at junctions. If successful, this could be scaled city-wide, significantly improving traffic flow and reducing Bengaluru traffic delays.
Community Engagement and Crowdsourcing Solutions
To ensure the initiative addresses real commuter pain points, Pitti has launched a public WhatsApp group to crowdsource feedback. “Which junction or road causes you the most traffic issues?” he asked on X, encouraging residents to share insights to guide targeted interventions. This community-driven approach has sparked enthusiasm, with AI professionals offering pro-bono support and tech enthusiasts praising the initiative’s potential to transform Bengaluru traffic.
Leveraging AI and Google Maps for Traffic Solutions
Pitti’s ₹1 crore investment funds the hiring of senior AI/ML engineers, access to Google Maps’ Road Management Insight tool (launched in April 2025), satellite imagery, and GPU infrastructure. The project aims to map Bengaluru’s choke points and peak congestion times within a month, enabling precise interventions like deploying traffic police or installing signals at critical junctions. By creating an open-source platform, Pitti hopes to scale these AI traffic solutions to other Indian cities facing similar challenges.
Challenges and Skepticism Surrounding Bengaluru Traffic Reduction
Despite the optimism, Pitti’s pledge has faced skepticism. Critics argue that Bengaluru’s traffic issues stem from inadequate infrastructure, which technology alone may not fully resolve. A Bengaluru Traffic Police official reportedly dismissed the initiative as “attention farming.” However, Pitti’s recent meetings with BTP, BBMP, and City Police commissioners indicate growing institutional support, suggesting the project is moving beyond mere rhetoric.
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A Blueprint for Urban Mobility in India
Drawing inspiration from global cities like Los Angeles and Singapore, Pitti’s initiative could set a precedent for data-driven urban planning in India. By making the platform open-source, he aims to empower other cities to adopt similar AI traffic solutions. If successful, this project could redefine how India tackles traffic congestion, saving time, fuel, and economic losses.
Why This Matters for Bengaluru
Bengaluru’s traffic crisis is more than an inconvenience—it’s a drain on productivity and quality of life. Pitti’s bold vision offers hope for a city weary of gridlock. While challenges remain, his collaborative, tech-driven approach and commitment to transparency make this one of the most promising efforts to address Bengaluru traffic in recent years. As the project unfolds, all eyes will be on whether it can deliver on its ambitious 25-30% reduction promise.