Office workers in Hyderabad are facing a staggering annual commute of approximately 312 hours,equating to about 39 full working days, as traffic congestion intensifies in the city. This alarming statistic comes from a report by the office commute platform MoveInSync,which highlights the challenges posed by worsening traffic conditions in Cyberabad, the heart of Hyderabad's burgeoning technology sector.
As of 2026, the average one-way commute time in Hyderabad has risen to 60 minutes,a slight increase from 58 minutes in 2024. The distance commuters travel has also grown, now averaging 22.7 kilometers compared to 21.9 kilometers two years prior. Traffic congestion has surged to 25%, up from 23% in 2023, leading to over 123 hours a year spent idling in traffic.
Deepesh Agarwal, CEO of MoveInSync,attributes the increasing commute times to rapid economic growth in the region. He noted that Cyberabad has experienced one of the fastest expansions of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India over the last five years. Despite the influx of jobs and office spaces from multinational firms, transport infrastructure has not kept pace with this growth.
While areas like Hitec City benefit from metro connectivity,significant employment hubs such as Gachibowli and the Financial District remain without direct metro links. This lack of access forces many commuters to rely heavily on private vehicles,company cabs, and other road-based transport options. Recent data indicates a decline in Hyderabad Metro's daily ridership,which has dropped to around 420,000 passengers from over 560,000. This decline follows a 10% drop in ridership attributed to increased ticket prices implemented by L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Limited.
Despite employees now working from offices an average of 2.5 days per week—roughly 10 days a month—traffic congestion continues to escalate. Traffic volumes peak at 100% during midweek,particularly on Wednesdays,with Tuesdays and Thursdays also experiencing high congestion levels at around 90%. Many workers opt for remote work on Mondays and Fridays, often extending their weekends .
Addressing the last-mile connectivity challenge is crucial for improving public transport usage. Solutions such as feeder services, shuttle networks,and shared mobility options could significantly enhance access to office campuses. NVS Reddy has advocated for the expansion of metro and electric bus services to alleviate urban traffic woes.
“If people who drive alone choose shared transport, public transit, or carpooling even one day a week,traffic volumes could reduce substantially,” Agarwal emphasized.
As Hyderabad grapples with its growing traffic issues, the need for strategic infrastructure improvements becomes increasingly urgent. city’s ability to manage its transport challenges will be vital for sustaining its economic growth and ensuring better quality of life for its residents.
