Karnataka Deputy CM Inspects Bengaluru Roads Amid Pothole Repair Promises
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister, DK Shivakumar, conducted a nighttime inspection of the city’s roads on Tuesday, accompanied by officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The visit aimed to assess ongoing repair works, particularly focused on addressing the pothole crisis in Bengaluru.
Before departing for a trip to the USA earlier this month, Shivakumar set a 15-day deadline for the BBMP to eliminate all potholes in the city. During his ground reality check, he visited key locations including Trinity Junction, Jayamahal Road, Domlur, and Indiranagar, where asphalting work is currently in progress.
Criticism has surfaced regarding Shivakumar’s commitment to the pothole issue. Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai publicly called out the Deputy CM on social media for leaving for a holiday shortly after promising to resolve the pothole crisis. Pai questioned, “Minister @DKShivakumar, you promised to fix potholes in Bengaluru within 15 days and then went to the US on holiday? We continue to suffer! What happened to your promise? Can citizens trust your word anymore?”
Shivakumar had previously directed BBMP officials to address the city’s pothole problem urgently. He stated, “I asked the BBMP commissioner to fill all the potholes in Bengaluru in the next 15 days. The civic body found 2,795 potholes across the city, and they will be filled at a cost of ₹660 crore. Compared to previous years, people are now less affected by rains.”
To enhance monitoring, the BBMP has deployed special vehicles equipped with AI cameras to identify potholes, damaged streetlights, and other civic issues. The BBMP commissioner explained that these vehicles will travel at a speed of 5 km per hour, collectively covering 300 km a day, allowing for efficient data collection to aid in road repairs.
Read More:
Pothole-Riddled Roads Pose Severe Risks for Bengaluru’s Specially-Abled Residents