Sabeer Bhatia, co-founder of Hotmail and a prominent tech entrepreneur, has reignited discussions around India's urban infrastructure challenges, particularly Bengaluru's infamous traffic congestion. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Bhatia voiced his frustration over the city's commuting difficulties, comparing it to his cycling experience in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"I know Bengaluru folks may call this negative… but the traffic here is INSANE. I ride the same distance on my bicycle in 1/3 the time in the Bay Area. How do people tolerate this every day?" he wrote. His post quickly gained traction, drawing both support and criticism.

Social Media Responds

The post triggered a wave of reactions, with many echoing Bhatia’s concerns and calling for drastic steps. A user suggest that tech professionals and startups relocate to push for change. "We have to start boycotting Bengaluru, only way to bring them to their senses, techies can easily relocate their jobs and startups their base to teach the state a lesson in infra," he wrote.

I know Bengaluru folks may call this negative… but the traffic here is INSANE. I ride the same distance on my bicycle in 1/3 the time in the Bay Area. How do people tolerate this every day?

— Sabeer Bhatia (@sabeer) July 1, 2025

A second user wrote, “Can you go on a bike to Oakland in the Bay Area after 5 PM? People go to any part of Bangalore or even to Mysore at midnight and come back alive. Can you go to Oakland without fearing for your life?”

Bhatia Clarifies His Criticism

Facing backlash from some corners for his candid remarks, Bhatia later clarified his intentions in a follow-up tweet. “When I highlight how much more work is needed to make India a developed country, people call me negative. I’m not. I want to inspire people to see this as a challenge worth solving. There’s so much fantastic work to be done. I’m excited!” he wrote.