New Delhi: Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has raised concerns about the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure following feedback from an overseas business visitor who criticised the city’s roads and garbage management. The incident, which occurred during the visitor’s tour of Biocon Park on October 14, has sparked reactions from multiple Karnataka ministers defending the ongoing development work.
Sharing the visitor’s comments on social media platform X, Mazumdar-Shaw quoted the individual saying:
“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?”
Ministers respond to criticism
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge responded by suggesting that the visitor may have seen only a limited part of the city. He said, “I am not sure which part of Bengaluru they have seen. As I have said, the work is in progress. We are growing at a rapid pace, and whatever is necessary for the infrastructure improvement, we are doing it.”
Minister MB Patil acknowledged Mazumdar-Shaw’s contributions to Bengaluru and the state but expressed disapproval over airing such criticism publicly while development projects are underway. Both ministers emphasised that Bengaluru is witnessing rapid growth, and significant efforts are being made to improve roads, sanitation, and other civic infrastructure.
Bengaluru’s infrastructure challenges
Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s IT hub, has faced ongoing challenges in urban infrastructure, particularly with traffic congestion, road maintenance, and waste management. While city authorities have undertaken various projects to modernise road networks, upgrade sewage systems, and improve garbage disposal, the scale of urbanisation has made these tasks challenging.
Urban planners and experts note that Bengaluru’s rapid expansion in IT, biotechnology, and industrial sectors has put a strain on civic amenities. High volumes of traffic, frequent monsoon-related damages, and scattered civic management responsibilities contribute to uneven infrastructure quality across different parts of the city.
Reactions and public discourse
The social media post by Mazumdar-Shaw has reignited discussions on Bengaluru’s urban planning and infrastructure quality. Many residents and business leaders acknowledged the city’s ongoing challenges while highlighting the government’s initiatives in upgrading roads, modernising transport networks, and improving sanitation.
This episode also underscores the importance of presenting a comprehensive view of the city’s infrastructure to overseas investors and business visitors, as isolated observations may not accurately reflect the overall development efforts.
Way forward
Authorities in Karnataka continue to stress that infrastructure improvements are a work in progress, and several major projects are underway to enhance road conditions, waste management systems, and overall civic amenities. Experts believe that continued investment, public-private collaboration, and better planning will be essential to address Bengaluru’s infrastructure bottlenecks and maintain its appeal as a global investment destination.
Mazumdar-Shaw’s highlighting of the issue has brought attention to the city’s challenges, serving as a reminder of the urgency for sustainable and visible improvements in Bengaluru’s infrastructure.