Bengaluru: Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has clarified that reports claiming she offered to repair Bengaluru’s roads are “fabricated news.” The statement comes after a viral social media post by former Union Minister P Chidambaram praising her alleged offer and an online exchange with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Mazumdar-Shaw expressed amusement at the claims and asked, “Please ask them to share their source of this info about my offer to repair roads.” She met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Tuesday to greet them for Deepavali and reiterated her willingness to cooperate for Bengaluru’s development.
Social media exchange sparks debate
Earlier, P Chidambaram had shared on X (formerly Twitter), “I noted with interest Mrs Kiran Mazumdar Shaw’s offer to fund the development of some roads in Bengaluru. A great offer! Congratulations. The problem with our public works is not the lack of public money; the problem is in the execution of the work.”
Mazumdar-Shaw’s own social media posts have frequently highlighted the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure and garbage management. She noted that her overseas business visitor was shocked by the condition of the roads and sanitation.
“Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn’t the Govt want to support investment? I have just come from China and can’t understand why India can’t get its act together, especially when the winds are favourable?” she wrote.
She added, “We are in this dire situation because of past governments’ failure to act in time. This government has the opportunity to change this and act fast to fix these decades of deteriorating infrastructure and garbage management.”
Move towards collaboration
Mazumdar-Shaw’s meeting with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is seen as a step towards constructive dialogue after weeks of public debate over Bengaluru’s crumbling roads and sanitation. Her remarks on social media had drawn attention from the state government as well as criticism from political leaders.
While she denied making any official offer to fund road repairs, Mazumdar-Shaw emphasised her willingness to engage with authorities on Bengaluru’s development challenges. Officials noted that the meeting was cordial and focused on potential collaboration for the city’s infrastructure improvement.