Bengaluru's infrastructure woes have taken center stage as Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to discuss the city's deteriorating road conditions. The meeting occurred amidst a backdrop of public outcry over potholes, traffic congestion, and concerns about the impact on Bengaluru's image as a global tech hub.
Mazumdar-Shaw's concerns initially surfaced on social media, where she recounted a foreign business executive's criticism of Bengaluru's roads and garbage management. This sparked a wider debate involving industry leaders, government officials, and concerned citizens. While some ministers acknowledged the issues and called for collective effort, others criticized Mazumdar-Shaw for publicly airing grievances.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, responded by emphasizing the government's commitment to addressing the infrastructure challenges. Shivakumar highlighted ongoing efforts to repair potholes and improve road quality, stating that ₹1,100 crore has been sanctioned for road repairs, with over 10,000 potholes identified and more than 5,000 already fixed. He also pointed to major infrastructure projects underway to enhance Bengaluru's global competitiveness.
However, citizens remain skeptical, pointing to the recurring problem of potholes reappearing after repairs, especially following heavy rains. Social media is rife with images and complaints about the poor condition of roads, with some users sarcastically likening potholes to "LakeHoles". One X user posted a photo of a pothole-ridden stretch on Varthur-Gunjur Road, captioning it, "Normally, the Road size will be 98% and the Pothole size would be 2%. In this photo shot on 17th October 2025 in Bengaluru, Road is only 2% and LakeHole is 98%".
Adding to the infrastructure challenges, Bengaluru is grappling with severe traffic congestion. Several factors contribute to this, including ongoing construction projects, increased vehicle density, and incidents such as bus breakdowns. The Bengaluru Traffic Police have identified congestion hotspots and issued advisories urging commuters to plan their travel in advance. The Outer Ring Road (ORR), a major arterial road, is particularly affected, with commuters facing extended travel times due to construction and road closures.
Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to improve Bengaluru's infrastructure. The Karnataka cabinet recently approved the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, a 117-kilometer corridor aimed at reducing traffic congestion by 40%. The project, rebranded from the Peripheral Ring Road, is expected to be completed within two years and will include six-lane carriageways, service roads, and a reserved corridor for a future metro line.
Other planned infrastructure projects include elevated corridors, tunnel roads, and improvements to the city's storm water drainage system. The B-SMILE initiative has drafted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 13 elevated corridors spanning 126 km, with an estimated cost of ₹18,000 crore. The government is also exploring innovative funding models, such as auctioning commercial plots along the Peripheral Ring Road to generate revenue for the project.
In a move to boost sports infrastructure, the Karnataka cabinet has approved a ₹2,350 crore project to construct a state-of-the-art international cricket stadium and multi-sport complex in Anekal. The stadium, designed to accommodate 80,000 spectators, is expected to drive urban development and boost tourism in the region.
While these projects offer hope for the future, Bengaluru residents are demanding immediate action to address the current infrastructure woes. The meeting between Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and government officials underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for collaborative efforts to improve Bengaluru's roads and infrastructure.
