A crowd-powered digital initiative is gaining momentum in Bengaluru for its innovative approach to spotlight the city’s deteriorating roads. The ‘Bengaluru Live Potholes Map’, a non-governmental platform created by local volunteers, uses open-source tools and public participation to map potholes citywide.
Residents are encouraged to upload geo-tagged photos of potholes, which are then plotted on an interactive map. This collaborative tracking system aims to bring visibility to neglected road conditions and prompt quicker action from civic bodies.
Tech enthusiast Shantanu Goel shared the project on social media, stating, “Someone built https://blr-potholes.pages.dev to make Bengaluru’s roads safer. I just hope the system doesn’t target them instead.” His post, accompanied by a photo of a deep road cavity, added, “This should be called a crater, not a pothole!”
According to the platform’s creators, they operate independently of any governmental organization. “We’re a collective of citizens who care deeply about Bengaluru. Your inputs can push local agencies toward greater accountability,” the site states.
The concept rapidly struck a chord online. “Whoever built this has my respect. This is the kind of innovation we expect from Bengaluru’s tech-savvy crowd,” read one comment. Others suggested scaling the idea nationwide with official apps enabling real-time civic reporting.
For some, the project is personal. One user wrote, “I take this route daily. It’s been in this state for over a year. Every time I ride through, I pray for safety.”
This grassroots project reflects rising frustration with poor infrastructure and a growing call for tech-enabled governance.