'Brand Bengaluru' Takes Severe Beating As 'Potholes Like Moon Craters' Infest Tech Capital's Roads

Residents of Bengaluru have voiced their frustration with the Karnataka government's "Brand Bengaluru" initiative, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, particularly after the recent heavy rains exposed significant infrastructural weaknesses.

Many took to X, sharing pictures of crumbling roads and severe flooding.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/KunalKu93788216

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who often promotes grand infrastructure projects like tunnel roads and sky decks, is now under fire for neglecting essential infrastructural concerns.

In June 2023, he sought public feedback on how to improve Bengaluru's image, receiving approximately 70,000 responses.

Despite these efforts, residents remain disappointed with the state of roads across the city. Many are questioning what kind of "Brand Bengaluru" the government is attempting to build when different areas present such stark contrasts.

Some parts of the city seem neglected, reminiscent of conditions from decades ago, while others are so flooded that they resemble water pools rather than a modern metropolis.

Bengaluru resident Mohammed Yacoob expressed his frustration on X, stating that just a day after the BBMP cleaned Sai Baba Layout, the area was flooded once again.

Local residents have directed their anger towards DK Shivakumar, MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, and BBMP officials.

Another X user, Manjunath, vented his frustration, saying, "The potholes that were filled just a month ago have reopened after one rain, highlighting the corruption of BBMP officials, the MLA, and the MP."

Many others shared a video of Hosa Road, which has been in a state of disrepair for over a year, with massive potholes so large they are compared to craters on the moon.

Opposition 'tarnishing Bengaluru's image'

Amid growing criticism of poor governance, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday remarked that no one can control nature, accusing opposition parties of trying to damage Bengaluru's reputation.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, "Controlling nature is impossible. Bengaluru experienced heavy rain, which caused some damage, but the government is working on resolving all issues with high priority."

He also accused the opposition of attempting to tarnish Bengaluru's image.