What drove 2,774 new vehicles daily on Bengaluru roads — the hidden festive push explained

At least 2,774 new vehicles hit Bengaluru’s roads every day in October, driven by GST cuts and festive offers during Dasara and Deepavali. Transport department data showed a sharp increase compared with September, when only 1,894 vehicles were registered daily on average.

Bengaluru now has around 1.2 crore registered vehicles, including 83.8 lakh two-wheelers and 24 lakh cars. Experts warn that such rapid growth is worsening traffic jams and pollution, while public transport expansion continues at a slow pace.

The transport department, one of Karnataka’s top revenue-generating agencies, has set a target of Rs 15,000 crore for 2025–26. Officials expressed confidence that continued vehicle demand and upcoming infrastructure projects would help achieve this goal.

Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across Bengaluru reported a heavy rush of applicants, leading to extended working hours. Officials said many buyers delayed registration until after the GST cuts took effect on 22 September to benefit from the revised rates.

The central government’s decision to reduce GST on two-wheelers up to 350cc from 28% to 18% and a similar cut for small cars significantly boosted sales. The rate reduction encouraged buyers to advance their purchases to enjoy lower prices.

Registrations of cars priced below Rs 10 lakh increased by 4,000 units compared with October 2024. Officials said middle-class buyers took advantage of the reduced tax rates and festive discounts to purchase affordable vehicles.

Festive months traditionally bring higher vehicle sales, but this October saw a record rise due to the combined impact of GST benefits and Diwali-Dasara demand. Dealers reported a strong revival in customer interest compared with the previous year.

Transport commissioner Yogeesh A M said the department’s revenue rose by Rs 230 crore in October 2025 compared with the same month last year. The total revenue increased from Rs 1,157 crore in October 2024 to Rs 1,387 crore this year.

Total vehicle registrations soared from 56,831 in September to 86,014 in October, marking one of the biggest monthly jumps in recent years. Officials attributed this surge to the festive season and buyers taking advantage of reduced tax rates on vehicles.

Of the new registrations, 1,900 were two-wheelers and 514 were cars each day. This trend highlights Bengaluru’s continued reliance on motorbikes and scooters as the city struggles with increasing traffic congestion and limited public transport options.