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Bengaluru’s Pothole Problem: Not Just a Local Issue
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, has sparked controversy and debate by stating that the pothole problem is not unique to Bengaluru or Karnataka but is a nationwide issue, including roads near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in New Delhi.
Daily Repairs Amid Rains: Government’s Continued Efforts
Addressing the criticism over Bengaluru’s poor road conditions, Shivakumar emphasized that the government is actively working to fix the roads despite persistent rainfall. He shared that across the city’s five municipal corporations, as many as 1,000 potholes are being filled every day to improve commute conditions.
Political Counterpoints: BJP vs Congress
Shivakumar criticized the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for neglecting road maintenance during its tenure and accused it of politicizing the pothole issue ahead of upcoming civic body elections. He questioned why potholes would exist now if the BJP had done its job properly earlier, pointing out that the election season seems to have triggered renewed focus on this problem.
Potholes Near PM’s Home: A Reality Check
In a notable defense, Shivakumar challenged media and critics to observe the condition of Delhi’s roads, including the streets leading to PM Modi’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. He said that potholes exist there as well, underscoring that road infrastructure woes are widespread across India and not confined to Karnataka.
Corporate Concerns and Political Protests
The issue escalated after prominent Bengaluru industry leaders like former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw urged the state government to overhaul city roads following complaints from companies like BlackBuck, which cited poor road infrastructure as a reason for relocating operations.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP has announced a statewide road blockade protest on September 24 to press for urgent road repairs and highlight the ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly in Bengaluru.
Congress Leadership’s Upcoming Meeting
Before leaving for an extended Congress Working Committee meeting in Patna, Shivakumar reaffirmed his commitment to fixing Bengaluru’s roads and assured that the government remains dedicated to its duties irrespective of political distractions. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are expected to discuss key strategic issues at the meeting led by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
