Bengaluru Residents Protest for Better Road Infrastructure Amid Deteriorating Conditions

In a growing trend in Bengaluru, tech workers and residents in the eastern part of the city have taken to the streets on weekends to demand improved road conditions. Frustrated by daily grueling commutes and deteriorating infrastructure, they are calling for accountability from local and state officials amid stalled government responses.

The Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru, a local advocacy group, highlighted the irony of tech workers spending long hours at their jobs only to protest for basic road maintenance. They posted on X, “The life of a techie in Bengaluru: work 10-12 hours, spend 4-5 hours in traffic on weekdays, and protest for non-existent roads!” The post tagged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Office of the Special Duty Officer of Karnataka, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

Residents in areas like Gattahalli, Chikkanayakanahalli, and Chambenahalli are particularly affected, with pothole-riddled roads causing frustration. Sharing visuals of the damaged infrastructure, the group questioned, “If we have to repair our own roads, then why are we paying more than 60% in direct and indirect taxes?” Compounding their grievances is a statewide ban on public protests, leading citizens to find creative ways to voice their concerns.

After a previous protest failed to elicit a response, residents of Chambenahalli raised funds to repair local roads themselves, lamenting, “The British era was better than this!” With tax money seemingly unaccounted for in maintaining infrastructure, they continue to highlight the disconnect between Bengaluru’s image as a tech hub and the reality of its crumbling roads.

Despite the mounting protests, there has been no formal response from elected officials, including Anekal MLA Shivana, who oversees some of the affected regions.

In North Bengaluru, residents of Babusapalya also protested today, skipping work to address the poor road conditions. While inadequate road infrastructure has been a long-standing issue, residents hope that the increasing intensity of protests will push local officials to take meaningful action.

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Bengaluru tech workers rally on weekends for better roads amid failing infrastructure