Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has raised serious concerns in Parliament over the growing economic cost of traffic congestion in Indian cities, calling for urgent national-level intervention.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha tweets, “Traffic has turned our metro cities into giant parking lots with people trapped inside them. In Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai, on average a commuter spends 100 to 168 hours a year stuck in traffic . Not commuting. Just sitting.… pic.twitter.com/OSUFwpxicv
— IANS (@ians_india) March 27, 2026
Speaking during a discussion, Chadha highlighted how traffic jams in metro cities are not just an inconvenience but a major economic burden, affecting productivity, fuel consumption, and overall quality of life.
He stressed that congestion is silently draining the country’s economy and requires structured policy attention.
Huge economic losses due to congestion
Chadha pointed out that millions of working hours are lost daily due to traffic congestion in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
He noted that:
- Employees spend long hours stuck in traffic
- Fuel consumption increases significantly
- Logistics and supply chains are delayed
This, he said, results in massive economic losses, impacting businesses as well as individual productivity.
The MP warned that if left unaddressed, congestion could become a major obstacle to India’s growth ambitions.
Demand for National Urban Decongestion Mission
To tackle the issue, Chadha proposed the creation of a National Urban Decongestion Mission, aimed at systematically reducing traffic in major cities.
He urged the government to adopt a mission-mode approach, similar to flagship schemes, to address urban mobility challenges.
Key suggestions under the proposed mission include:
- Expansion of public transport systems
- Better traffic management using technology
- Development of alternative routes and infrastructure
- Promotion of carpooling and sustainable mobility
He emphasised that a coordinated national strategy is essential to deal with the scale of the problem.
Call for smarter urban planning
Chadha also stressed the need for modern urban planning practices to prevent congestion in the future.
He pointed out that rapid urbanisation without adequate infrastructure has worsened traffic conditions. Cities are expanding, but road networks and transport systems have not kept pace.
He called for:
- Integrated transport planning
- Transit-oriented development
- Use of data and smart technologies
These measures, he said, can help create efficient and sustainable urban mobility systems.
Impact on environment and public health
Apart from economic losses, Chadha highlighted the environmental and health impact of traffic congestion.
He noted that prolonged traffic jams contribute to:
- Increased air pollution
- Higher carbon emissions
- Stress and health issues among commuters
Reducing congestion, therefore, is not just an economic necessity but also crucial for improving public health and environmental sustainability.
Growing concern across Indian cities
Traffic congestion has become a major issue across India’s urban centres, with increasing vehicle ownership and limited infrastructure capacity.
Experts believe that without immediate intervention, congestion levels could worsen significantly in the coming years, affecting both urban living standards and economic efficiency.
Need for urgent policy action
Chadha concluded by urging the government to take urgent and concrete steps to address the crisis.
He emphasised that tackling traffic congestion requires a multi-pronged approach involving policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and behavioural change.
The proposal for a National Urban Decongestion Mission is being seen as a significant push toward addressing one of India’s most pressing urban challenges.