Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has defended the state government’s efforts to repair Bengaluru’s roads, stating that civic teams are filling thousands of potholes daily, even amid heavy rains. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he emphasized that poor roads are a nationwide issue, not unique to Karnataka.
Shivakumar cited his visit to Delhi, noting potholes even on the Prime Minister’s residence road. “The media is showcasing potholes as only Karnataka’s problem, but poor roads exist across India,” he said, pointing out that major IT companies should recognize this reality.
His comments come as Bengaluru faces growing criticism over crumbling infrastructure. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy recently called the city a “city of potholes,” while logistics firm BlackBuck cited poor road conditions on the Outer Ring Road as a reason to relocate.
The Deputy Chief Minister dismissed concerns about companies leaving Bengaluru, highlighting the city’s talent pool of over 25 lakh engineers and nearly two lakh foreign professionals as proof of its continued global appeal.
Shivakumar announced a final deadline for contractors to complete pothole repairs by November and unveiled a Rs 1,100 crore plan for citywide road repair and construction. “Our goal is a clean Bengaluru and smooth traffic movement. The GBA will ensure potholes are cleared as soon as possible,” he added.
The Bengaluru potholes news underscores both the city’s infrastructure challenges and the state government’s efforts to improve road conditions before the end of the year.
