HERE Technologies reveals Diwali travel congestion trends from real-time analysis of seven major train stations across India

Press Release, 7 November 2024

HERE Technologies revealed Diwali travel congestion trends from real-time analysis of seven major train stations across India

As the festive season has approached, millions of travellers across India are on the move, creating heightened congestion around major train stations. Following last week’s Diwali celebration, HERE Technologies, the leading location data and technology platform, captured and analysed real-time traffic data around seven popular train stations, revealing insights into daily traffic patterns, peak congestion hours, and optimal travel times.

Traffic data, gathered from September 29 to October 30, 2024, revealed congestion patterns within a 2km radius around each station, focusing on arterial roads and highways. This analysis, based on a “Jam Factor” ranging from 0.0 (free flow) to 10.0 (blocked roadway), reveals optimal travel times and areas most impacted by increased holiday traffic.

The seven train stations monitored are: Kalupur Railway Station in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru City Railway Station (Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna – KSR), Chennai Central Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station, Secunderabad Junction in Hyderabad, Howrah Junction in Kolkata, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.

Key trends and traffic congestion patterns:

Mumbai and Delhi as major congestion hotspots

Among the seven stations, Mumbai’s CSMT and New Delhi Railway Station recorded the highest congestion levels. Mumbai’s CSMT had several peak congestion days, with the Jam Factor reaching 5.3 multiple times, while New Delhi hit a high of 5.7 on October 1 and October 26. Conversely, Ahmedabad Junction reported the lowest congestion, with peak traffic levels in the past month remaining manageable at a Jam Factor of 2.5. These findings highlight the pressure on transport infrastructure in India’s largest cities during major travel periods.

Peak times and evening rush across stations
Throughout October, congestion around most train stations peaked in the evening, particularly at 8pm. Stations in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad recorded peak congestion at 8pm nearly every day, while CSMT in Mumbai uniquely saw peak congestion earlier in the day, most frequently around 2pm. Howrah Junction in Kolkata also had earlier peaks, typically between 4-6pm, highlighting varying congestion rhythms in different regions. These findings reflect a common surge in evening traffic, with midday peaks in certain urban centres.

Patterns of Consecutive Congestion Increases
Several stations experienced sustained periods of increasing congestion, notably Bengaluru and Chennai, where traffic surged over consecutive days in early and mid-October. Bengaluru saw three distinct three-day increases from October 3-5, 7-10, and 17-19, while Chennai’s congestion intensified from October 3-9. These prolonged congestion patterns likely indicate substantial Diwali-related travel and underscore the added pressures faced by urban transport systems during the festive season.

Sundays as the least congested days
Sundays consistently showed lower traffic congestion across most stations, presenting a clear pattern that could inform future travel planning. CSMT in Mumbai, for instance, reported significantly reduced congestion on Sundays, with a Jam Factor between 3.8 and 3.9. October 12 also emerged as a notably low-congestion day across multiple stations, including Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. This trend of reduced Sunday traffic indicates that travellers seeking minimal delays may benefit from planning journeys on quieter days.

Abhijit Sengupta, Senior Director and Head of Business of India and Southeast Asia said,
“This analysis reflects our commitment to providing India’s travellers with precise, real-time traffic insights during the critical Diwali travel period. By highlighting congestion patterns around the country’s busiest train stations leading up to Diwali, we aim to support informed travel decisions and demonstrate how data-driven insights can enhance mobility and ease journeys across India’s vibrant cities during the festive season.”

About HERE Technologies
HERE has been a pioneer in mapping and location technology for almost 40 years. Today, HERE’s location platform is recognized as the most complete in the industry, powering location-based products, services and custom maps for organizations and enterprises across the globe. From autonomous driving and seamless logistics to new mobility experiences, HERE allows its partners and customers to innovate while retaining control over their data and safeguarding privacy. Find out how HERE is moving the world forward at here.com.