Frustrated with the city’s poor infrastructure, especially bad roads, leaking sewage, and increasing dust, Bengaluru’s tech workers have taken a unique approach to voice their concerns. Residents from the Panathur-Balagere area, where many tech companies are based, staged a protest on Saturday, using inventive tactics to grab the government’s attention.

The protestors, clad in T-shirts with slogans like “I paid taxes for a road, not for a roller coaster” and “Rebate tax, we’ll build our roads,” took a playful yet impactful approach to highlight the worsening conditions. They also created rangoli art around potholes to symbolize the severity of the problem, while singing reworked versions of classic Kannada songs, with titles like “Road Super, Gundi (ditch) Danger.”

This protest was organized by the Individual Tax Payers Forum, a group representing taxpayers across India. They are questioning how their tax money is being spent when essential infrastructure improvements remain unmet. Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, founder of the forum, voiced his dissatisfaction, emphasizing that Bengaluru, one of the highest tax-paying cities, deserves better roads and public services.

With repeated issues like accidents caused by poorly maintained roads, residents continue to face everyday struggles. Water shortages, rising transportation costs, and congestion add to their frustrations. The protest is a call to action, demanding accountability and better services in return for the taxes paid.