Bengaluru Man Serves Notice To BBMP Over Poor Roads, Seeks ₹50 Lakh Compensation: 'Severe Neck, Back Pains'

A 43-year-old resident of Bengaluru has issued a legal notice to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), demanding compensation of ₹50 lakh for the "physical agony and emotional trauma" allegedly caused by the city's deteriorating and potholed roads.

Dhivya Kiran, who resides in Richmond Town, stated in his notice that despite being a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen, he has endured persistent physical discomfort and mental distress due to the BBMP's alleged failure to maintain basic road infrastructure.

Photo Credit: PTI

He claimed to have visited orthopaedic specialists on five occasions and made four emergency hospital visits owing to "severe neck and back pains", reported NDTV.

These conditions, he asserts, are "medically linked to the jerks and trauma caused while commuting on these treacherous roads."

There has yet to be an official response from the BBMP regarding the notice.

Bengaluru's rain-affected, potholed, and waterlogged roads are a recurring issue, with many residents regularly grappling with hazardous travel conditions.

Following heavy overnight rainfall on Sunday, much of the city was left submerged on Monday, with some residents forced to evacuate their homes using inflatable boats.

Kiran's legal representative, Advocate K V Laveen, who issued the notice on 14 May, stated: "My client states that he was forced to visit 5 orthopaedic specialists due to the intensifying pain. He made 4 emergency visits to St. Philomena's Hospital, undergoing injections and procedures to relieve acute agony. Further, \[he has] been on multiple medications and painkillers to manage the condition."

"He has also experienced episodes of crying out in pain, loss of sleep, anxiety, and mental distress, all of which have deeply affected his well-being and daily functioning," the lawyer added.

Kiran further explained that the damaged roads have severely impacted his mobility: "Even cab rides are difficult, though marginally more tolerable than autos or bikes. This severely limits his mobility and independence, affecting both his personal and professional commitments."

The legal notice accuses the BBMP of "gross negligence and failure in discharging its public duty", which has allegedly caused Kiran "physical agony, emotional trauma, and financial burden".

In addition to the ₹50 lakh sought for pain, suffering, and medical expenses, Kiran has also demanded ₹10,000 to cover the cost of issuing the legal notice. He has given the civic body 15 days to comply, warning that failure to do so will result in legal proceedings.

Kiran said he had previously raised complaints with the authorities, but to no avail. "It is very sad that the city does not care for good infrastructure. That is why I have sent a notice to the authorities. If need be, I will file a PIL (Public Interest Litigation). Why should I suffer? The least the state can do is provide us with good roads," he said.