A man who moved back to India after living in the United States for 25 years has shared what he believes is the biggest “deal breaker” keeping many NRIs from returning home.
Naresh, who posted his thoughts on X, said that as he and his wife neared retirement, several of their friends in the US were considering moving back to India.
He admitted that India has “many positives,” but said the horrendous traffic is the one issue that consistently scares NRIs away.
“As we are approaching retirement age, some US friends are asking how life in India really is. So many positives here, but you know what the dealbreaker for many is? The horrendous traffic,” he wrote.
Naresh added that even well-off NRIs — who have the money and desire to contribute to India’s economy — hesitate to return because of the chaos on the roads.
He urged that traffic issues must be fixed “on a war footing,” tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
His post quickly went viral, with many agreeing. Others questioned why NRIs want to return after spending decades abroad.
Naresh responded that people have their own reasons, including aging parents, more affordable healthcare, and household help like cooks and drivers.
He clarified that it’s not just traffic jams but the lack of order that frustrates NRIs.
“People cutting left and right, honking, etc. I can handle Chicago traffic jams where everyone maintains lane discipline,” he wrote.
Some users suggested moving to smaller towns or semi-urban areas where traffic is more manageable.
The debate comes at a time when more NRIs are thinking about returning home, especially after the US tightened visa rules and ramped up immigration checks.
Recently, an Indian techie wrote on Reddit that after eight years in the US, he was craving stability and community, and had always planned to eventually return to India.
