Baghdad's residents face hours of daily gridlock as vehicle numbers overwhelm infrastructure

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Residents of Baghdad are expressing growing frustration over the capital's severe traffic congestion, with most commuters spending between one to two hours traveling to and from work daily, a situation that has become an overwhelming part of their daily routine.

Speaking to Kurdistan24, one Baghdad resident described the severity of the situation: "Traffic congestion is a massive problem. Two days ago, it took me two hours just to get through the airport road. Time is never guaranteed in Baghdad - you never know when you'll reach your destination. All government measures to address the congestion have failed so far."

Another resident highlighted their personal experience: "From Dora to Adhamiya, it takes me an hour and a half. I try different routes daily to escape the traffic. Under normal conditions, this journey should only take 15 minutes."

The crisis stems from a significant mismatch between infrastructure capacity and vehicle numbers.

According to official statistics, the number of vehicles on Baghdad's roads is seven times higher than what the street network can handle. Despite this overwhelming congestion, new vehicles continue to enter the city regularly.

"Today's Baghdad is overcrowded with residents, vehicles, and buildings," another resident explained to Kurdistan24. "The number of vehicles in this city is catastrophic, mainly due to unrestricted car imports. The old street network simply cannot handle this volume of traffic and people."

With approximately five million vehicles in the capital and an inadequate traffic management system, experts consider traffic reduction unlikely without the construction of new strategic roads and bridges. The situation represents a growing crisis for Baghdad's infrastructure and quality of life.

This traffic crisis reflects broader challenges in urban planning and infrastructure development in Iraq's capital, where rapid population growth and vehicle acquisition have outpaced infrastructure improvements.

As residents continue to struggle with lengthy commutes and restricted mobility, the need for comprehensive solutions becomes increasingly urgent.

The daily gridlock not only affects productivity and economic activity but also has significant impacts on residents' quality of life, stress levels, and time management, making it one of the most pressing urban challenges facing Baghdad today.