‘No potholes, only social media hype’: How Karnataka Dy CM downplayed Bengaluru’s road woes | Video

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has flatly denied the existence of a pothole problem in the city. Speaking to news agency ANI on Friday, Shivakumar characterised the mounting public outcry over the city's crumbling infrastructure as a fabrication of the internet.

Despite daily reports of road hazards, the Deputy CM was adamant that the city’s reputation remains untarnished. "There is no pothole, there is no issue. It is only a creation on social media. Bengaluru is doing well. People from all over the world are coming to invest in Bengaluru, to live in Bengaluru, to work in Bengaluru," Shivakumar told ANI.

Vocal frustrations of industry leaders

The Deputy CM’s claims stand in stark contrast to the lived experience of millions of residents and the vocal frustrations of industry leaders. Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw recently shared an anecdote about an overseas visitor to Biocon Park who questioned why the roads were so poorly maintained and surrounded by garbage.

Similarly, former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and other high-profile industry veterans have repeatedly urged the state government to intervene as the infrastructure of the "Tech Capital" struggles to keep pace with its growth.

Economic fallout: Companies moving out

The road crisis is already yielding economic consequences. The online trucking platform BlackBuck recently announced it would move its headquarters out of its Bellandur location on the Outer Ring Road (ORR), citing the impossible commute and deteriorating road infrastructure as primary reasons for the exit.

Dramatic shift in rhetoric

Shivakumar’s denial of the problem marks a dramatic shift in rhetoric. Just two months ago, the Deputy CM was singing a different tune, taking to social media to claim that repairs were happening at a record pace.

"Pothole repair works are in full swing across Bengaluru. Our engineers and workers are on the ground every day, ensuring lasting quality in every repair. We are committed to delivering smoother and safer roads that match Bengaluru's growing aspirations," he said in a post on X.

Gap between government narrative and ground reality widens

Home to 12 million people and global giants like Google and Microsoft, Bengaluru remains the backbone of India’s tech economy. However, as the gap between government narrative and ground reality widens, the city faces a growing challenge in maintaining its status as a world-class hub for innovation.