Bengaluru’s endless traffic jams, soaring property prices, and increasing pollution have left many residents frustrated. A growing number of people are reportedly moving to Mysuru, hoping for a quieter, more affordable life. Now, a video by investment banker and CA Sarthak Ahuja has sparked debate online, with users warning against “ruining Mysore.”
The video, first shared on Instagram and later posted to Reddit (before being deleted), triggered a heated discussion. While some agreed with his points about Bengaluru’s declining liveability, others pushed back strongly, pleading with outsiders not to overcrowd Mysuru in the process.
The Video That Sparked Debate
In the now-discussed clip, Ahuja begins by saying: “A large number of people are now leaving
Bengaluru and moving to Mysuru, and I’ll tell you exactly what is happening.”
“As per a recent report, Bengaluru is now the third-worst city in the world. Not in India, in the world, when it comes to traffic congestion. And things have gotten so bad when it comes to air pollution, water pollution, the flooding, the rains, and the weather is not as great as it used to be during the summer,” he adds.
“Which is why a lot of people have realised that after the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway opened in 2023, well, Mysore is a better city to live in, and I’ll give you some data for it,” he also states.
He then highlighted Mysuru’s booming real estate market: “In 2024 alone, real estate prices in Mysore went up by 50 per cent in a matter of one year. And despite that steep price increase, well, real estate prices in Mysore are closer to 50 to 60 per cent compared to the prices in Bengaluru.”
“Which means you can get an apartment in Mysore for anywhere between 60 lakh and 1 crore, and that’s not all. Well, the air pollution is better. You can go from any point of the city to another in just about 15 minutes. And a number of people have realised that that is a better city for them to lead their lives and raise their family,” he further mentions in the clip.
Towards the end of the video, he added, “Now this is not just a problem of Bengaluru. It’s in fact a problem of all major metro cities of India today, including Bombay, Delhi, Gurgaon, Pune, which is why while you would have noticed a lot of real estate growth over the past one decade coming in these cities.”
Take a look at the video here:
Reactions On Social Media
The clip, shared on September 17, has already been viewed more than 1.6 million times. On Instagram and Reddit, comments poured in, ranging from agreement to frustration.
A user warned, “You’re not welcome in Mysore. Please stay in Bangalore.” Another wrote, “Please, people, don’t move to Mysore.”
Others felt the criticism of Bengaluru was valid. A person said, “Where’s the lie! Can’t live in Bangalore with so much traffic and dust.”
Another added, “He is not wrong, is he? Property prices are way too high in our metros; a person earning even 100,000 a month will find it impossible to buy a home in metros. Traffic is the worst and is not getting any better.”
Some pointed out the risk of Mysuru also becoming overcrowded. “Better city until you make it another Bangalore!! I’d give it just another 5 to 8 years till Mysore becomes unliveable!! Unless people change, no city will remain liveable,” one person commented.
Another echoed the same concern: “Yeah and no wonder traffic in Mysore is getting worse…. The city is also not made to handle a huge influx of people.”
Balancing Growth and Preservation
While some users defended Ahuja’s claims, many Mysuru residents fear that the influx of people could change the character of their city. Rising real estate costs, heavier traffic, and increasing population pressure are already being noticed.
The debate ultimately highlights the struggles faced by Indian metros and the challenge of balancing economic growth with sustainable urban living. For now, Bengaluru’s troubles continue to drive the conversation, and Mysuru sits at the centre of it.
