BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has drawn attention to the worsening road infrastructure in Bengaluru, stating emphatically that the city requires nothing more than roads that can be driven on without difficulty. His remarks come amid growing public frustration over potholes, encroachments, and chronic construction delays that have made commuting an ordeal for millions of residents.
The CM's comments follow the release of a locally composed song that has gone viral on social media platforms, capturing the everyday misery of Bengaluru drivers and passengers who navigate a labyrinth of broken, undrivable stretches every single day. The song, with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about pothole-ridden streets, has struck a chord across the city and reignited debate over civic infrastructure management.
Bengaluru, India's technology capital and one of the fastest-growing urban centres in the country, has long struggled with infrastructure that fails to keep pace with its booming population and expanding real estate footprint. Roads that once served thousands of vehicles now handle lakhs, yet maintenance and repair work rarely matches the scale of wear and tear.
Recent data from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) shows that nearly 40 per cent of the city's arterial roads require urgent resurfacing or complete reconstruction. Waterlogging during monsoons, uncoordinated utility trenching by multiple agencies, and substandard material quality have compounded the problem. Residents have taken to social media to share videos of vehicles getting stuck in deep craters, daily commute times doubling on previously quick routes, and accidents caused by invisible potholes at night.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the severity of the situation during a recent press interaction, stating that international observers now associate Bengaluru not with its innovation ecosystem but with its road conditions. "We are being seen globally for the wrong reasons," Shivakumar said. "All we ask for is a road that can simply be driven on — that should not be a luxury."
In response, the state government has announced plans to fast-track repair work on 35 key roads across the city and has directed civic agencies to adopt a unified timeline for underground utility work to prevent repeated digging. A special task force under the Public Works Department will monitor progress weekly. However, critics argue that previous similar announcements have yielded limited results due to poor implementation and lack of accountability.
Residents' groups have welcomed the government's attention but caution that without structural reforms and transparent monitoring, the cycle of damage and repair will continue. "A song went viral, but the pain is real," said a member of a local civic advocacy group. "Now we need action, not just words."
