Month Of Reckoning: Why Has Bengaluru's Image Taken a Beating?

Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, has frequently been hailed as an excellent place to live due to its favorable climate and ample employment opportunities.

Further, well-known educational institutions, exceptional healthcare facilities, and a rich tapestry of cultural diversity make it a desirable place to live. Over the past two decades, the city has experienced remarkable growth and development.

Hence, it does not come as no surprise to see Bengaluru listed among the top six emerging cities worldwide for expatriates.

However, several issues are taking a toll on its image.

Traffic Jams
The traffic congestion in Bengaluru, which was ranked second in the slowest place to drive through in the world last year, has been a daily ordeal for its residents. On Wednesday, it witnessed its worst traffic snarl in the recent years as the city's tech corridor 'Outer Ring Road (ORR)' witnessed massive traffic congestion.

Let us not forget, the traffic nightmare when it rains in the city. The already congested roads become clogged with water, causing vehicles to come to a standstill. Commuters spend an inordinate amount of time stuck in jams, disrupting schedules and affecting productivity.

A recent study has asserted that Bengaluru incurs an estimated loss of nearly Rs 20,000 crore annually due to traffic-related issues, including congestion, delays, signal stops, time wastage, and fuel loss.

House Rent
The price for the rented house had completely dropped during Covid-19. As the demand for housing in tech corridors has soared in the aftermath of the global pandemic, the prices of the residential rentals have witnessed a striking rise.

Before the pandemic, the average rent for a 2 BHK house in Marathhalli, Bellandur, and Whitefiled ranged between Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000. However, the current market rates are around Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000.

The rental for a 1 BHK has likewise seen a sharp incline, with the current prices ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, compared to the previous range of Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000, according to a report in The Times Of India.

This is not a good trend because high rental costs place a significant financial burden on individuals and families. A substantial portion of their earnings goes towards paying rent, leaving less money for other essential needs like healthcare, education, and savings. It may also make the IT people shift to their natives at a time when the work-from-home is slowly becoming a norm.

Bandhs
The back-to-back bandhs can significantly impact the image of Bengaluru in several ways. Not just economic losses, frequent bandhs may give the impression that Bengaluru is prone to social and political unrest. This negative perception can deter tourists, potential residents, and businesses.

Looming Water Crisis
As reservoir water levels decline, Bengaluru faces an imminent water crisis. Bengaluru could face adverse effects if the state doesn't receive ample rainfall in the next two months, Deccan Herald reported citing sources.

Bengaluru was once known for its numerous lakes and water bodies. However, encroachments, illegal constructions, and improper waste disposal have led to the degradation and shrinkage of these water sources. This has further reduced the city's capacity to store rainwater and recharge groundwater.

As meager rainfall diminishes groundwater and dries borewells, the city's reliance on reservoirs like Krishnaraja Sagara, Harangi, Hemavathi, or Kabini is bound to increase significantly. The Bengaluru surely needs the Mekedatu project for its survival.

Last but not least, the cancellation of international comedian Trevor Noah's show will bring a bad reputation to Bengaluru.

His show on Wednesday abruptly ended due to bad acoustics. His tweet read, "Dear Bengalaru India, I was so looking forward to performing in your amazing city but due to technical issues we've been forced to cancel both shows. We tried everything but because the audience can't hear the comedians on stage there's literally no way to do a show. We'll make sure all ticket holders receive a full refund and again I'm so sorry for both the inconvenience and disappointment this has never happened to us before. 🙏🏽"