Bengaluru, Sept. 28 -- Bengaluru, once celebrated as India's Silicon Valley and a magnet for ambitious professionals, is fast losing its sheen. What was once a city of dreams has, for many, turned into a daily grind marked by relentless traffic, crumbling roads, toxic air, and a skyrocketing cost of living. The city's infrastructure has failed to keep pace with its explosive growth.

Residents are increasingly questioning whether the city still justifies the compromises. Overcrowded roads, unpredictable water supply, and unaffordable housing are pushing professionals and families to seek better alternatives, often in smaller, less chaotic cities nearby.

This growing disillusionment was highlighted recently by investment banker Sarthak Ah...