Technology
Smart City Tech Cuts Bangalore Commute Times, Water Waste Daily
Real-time traffic controls and utility monitors on MG Road and in Koramangala now cut commute times and water waste for thousands of local users each week.
How we reported this
Traffic sensors installed along MG Road began rerouting vehicles automatically on July 8 when volumes spiked near the metro station, trimming average morning delays by 12 minutes for buses on that stretch.
The change comes as Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike expands its 2025 smart infrastructure rollout to more central and south-east neighbourhoods amid rising vehicle numbers on Bannerghatta Road and Outer Ring Road.
Residents in Koramangala now receive push alerts through the Namma Bengaluru app when smart bins on 80 Feet Road reach capacity, allowing collection crews to adjust routes before overflow occurs.
Traffic lights and water meters on familiar streets
At the junction of MG Road and Brigade Road, adaptive signals linked to cameras count vehicles every 30 seconds and extend green phases for buses operated by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation. Shop owners on the same block report fewer idling cabs during the 8 am rush because the system prioritises public transport over private cars.
In Koramangala, ultrasonic water meters fitted to apartment blocks along 1st Cross Road feed usage data to the civic body every hour. Households there saw bills drop after the meters flagged leaks that previously went unnoticed for days.
Usage numbers and next steps for residents
BBMP records show 1.4 million app downloads by the end of June 2026, with 420,000 daily active users checking live bus arrivals and utility alerts. The same data set logged a 9 percent reduction in peak-hour fuel consumption on monitored corridors between March and June this year.
People living near Electronic City can sign up for the free tier of the app through their ward office on Bannerghatta Road or download it directly to receive alerts for their specific locality. Those who want advance notifications for water supply interruptions pay an optional 30 rupees per month for the premium service.