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HD Kumaraswamy slams Karnataka government over Bengaluru’s ‘City of Potholes’ tag

AnyFans 2025-09-20

By News Karnataka

Bengaluru: Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy launched a sharp attack on the Karnataka government, criticising its handling of the city’s crumbling infrastructure. He said Bengaluru, once celebrated as India’s IT capital, is now gaining notoriety as the “City of Potholes.”

Business concerns over poor roads

Kumaraswamy highlighted the case of BlackBuck, a logistics tech firm, whose CEO announced plans to exit the Outer Ring Road (ORR) office due to unmanageable commuting issues. Daily travel between Bellandur and ORR reportedly takes nearly 1.5 hours one way, with potholes and dust making conditions worse. This, Kumaraswamy said, reflected the failure of governance and raised concerns for other IT and startup firms.

Targeting state leadership

The JD(S) leader directly held Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar responsible for what he called “rampant corruption and apathy” in maintaining Bengaluru’s roads. He accused the government of misusing funds while neglecting basic infrastructure. “The government has failed to provide even proper roads in a city that drives India’s technology sector,” Kumaraswamy alleged.

Impact on city’s reputation

Industrialists have echoed similar concerns, warning that the poor state of Bengaluru’s roads could dent its global image as a technology hub. Many have urged the government to take immediate corrective steps, emphasising that companies might look elsewhere if daily commuting remains a challenge. Residents too have expressed frustration, noting that despite large budget allocations, infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the city’s growth.

Kumaraswamy’s appeal

Even as he criticised the government, Kumaraswamy appealed to IT firms not to abandon Bengaluru, insisting that the city’s talent and ecosystem remained unmatched. He assured that citizens and industry leaders together would push for change, but warned that without urgent action, the city’s legacy could be at risk.

The opposition’s criticism has put pressure on the state government to respond to the growing discontent over Bengaluru’s roads. Whether the leadership takes swift measures to restore confidence among residents and businesses remains to be seen.