Life in Bengaluru: A Shift Towards Irritability

In a passionate post on Reddit titled “Why living in Bengaluru has become irritable recently,” the user ‘Normal_Excuse_6303’ expressed his growing dissatisfaction with life in the capital of Karnataka. Having been born and raised in the Basvangudi area and relocating to RR Nagar three years ago, he reflected on how the city, once considered “great,” is now seemingly overwhelmed with dust, traffic, and a diminishing sense of community.

Experiencing the Change in Bengaluru

With a brief background, the user explained his roots in Bengaluru’s Basvangudi and the move to RR Nagar. He shared insights on his daily journeys to his workplace near MG Road, discussing the increasing burden of travel and soaring pollution levels: “There is a noticeable rise in pollution, particularly dust everywhere… vehicles are collecting dust at an alarming rate.”

Declining Civic Responsibility

His concerns extended to a perceived drop in civic awareness: “It seems that the civic sense and discipline of the wider population is declining. This is especially clear in any travel activities.” The user also pointed out the escalating issue of garbage in the city: “Many footpaths are being used as rubbish dumps… nearby tourist attractions are littered with both plastic waste and alcohol bottles.”

Challenges of Public Transport

The burden of overcrowded public transport added to his distress. He described attempting to use the metro for his commute: “There is hardly any space to stand,” illustrating that even during early morning and mid-afternoon rides, the trains were overcrowded. “Ultimately, my fondness for this once-great city is diminishing,” he stated.

Community Reaction

Other users on Reddit chimed in with similar sentiments. One commenter remarked, “Not just Bengaluru, many cities, both metro and non-metro, are facing similar issues; people are neglecting the importance of planting trees, which is a major factor.” A user who departed the city in 2014 shared that upon returning in 2025, it was “so densely populated… it’s challenging to even board [the metro].”

Another comment resonated with the frustrations shared: “It’s so relatable! The garden city is no longer what it used to be… it has transformed into an urban sprawl with countless apartments and commercial edifices being constructed.”