Bengaluru: The city’s perennial pothole problem is worsening, with new government data showing a sharp rise in the area of damaged roads patched up by the civic body. According to figures tabled in the Legislative Council, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) filled 1.78 lakh square metres of potholes in 2024-25, compared to 1.07 lakh square metres in 2023-24 — an alarming 63% increase.
Rising costs, but little relief for commuters
The cost of repairs has surged alongside the rising number of potholes. BBMP spent ₹12.25 crore in 2024-25, up from ₹7 crore the previous year. Yet, residents complain that the work has not translated into better roads.
“We did see BBMP taking up pothole filling works. However, just a few weeks later, we noticed that the same roads developed potholes again. If the road is back in the same shape within days, this is a waste of effort and taxpayers’ money,” said Murthy B, a commuter from Mahadevapura zone.
Residents pointed to the poor state of Hosa Road in Bengaluru South and Bannerghatta Road, where fresh potholes appeared just months after patchwork repairs.
Structural issues behind recurring potholes
A senior BBMP engineer admitted that pothole filling was only a temporary fix and not a lasting solution. “Potholes don’t develop everywhere. They occur where water stagnates on roads due to poorly maintained shoulder drains. When water seeps in, the surface weakens and collapses,” the official explained.
Other civic officials said repeated digging by agencies like BWSSB, Bescom, and KPTCL also contributes to the problem. “Even when the stretch is restored, the surrounding areas weaken and new potholes appear,” one official noted.
BBMP cites monsoon challenges
BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao acknowledged the criticism but said the civic body was constrained by seasonal factors. “It is difficult to take up permanent measures during the monsoon. We can only carry out temporary fixes owing to rain. Long-term measures will be taken up once the monsoon ends,” Rao assured.
A crisis with no end in sight
Despite crores being spent each year, Bengaluru’s pothole-ridden roads continue to frustrate commuters and damage vehicles. Civic experts argue that the focus must shift from patchwork to comprehensive road maintenance, including better drainage systems, stricter monitoring of utility works, and accountability in road restoration.
For now, however, residents will have to brace themselves for another season of bumpy, waterlogged commutes, even as the BBMP promises longer-lasting solutions after the rains.