Residents Protest Bengaluru's Pothole Problem with Unique Ritual

Bengaluru’s notorious pothole issue continues to inconvenience residents, especially during the monsoon season when rainwater erodes roads and exposes deep craters. Despite repeated assurances from local authorities, repair efforts often fall short, leaving commuters and pedestrians at risk.

In an innovative protest, residents of the Jayanagar area recently staged a ritualistic “puja” at a troublesome pothole on Varamahalakshmi day. A video circulated on social media captures a man and woman performing the puja at a large, water-filled pothole, offering flower petals, turmeric, and kumkum in a bid to draw attention to the deteriorating road conditions. This protest, known locally as ‘Gundi Pujan,’ highlights the residents’ frustration and their attempts to engage civic authorities in addressing the issue.

Local resident Jyothi V shared her concerns with reporters, expressing discontent with the lack of effective response from Bengaluru’s civic body. She mentioned that despite various attempts to bring the pothole issue to light through videos and social media, little progress has been made. The problematic pothole has been a concern for over a year, with no significant action taken despite the road’s usage by prominent figures such as MP Tejasvi Surya and MLA C K Ramamurthy.

Jyothi also recalled a recent incident in which a temple priest was injured after falling into the pothole, further underlining the safety risks posed by the city’s crumbling infrastructure. She suggested that holding long-delayed elections for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) could potentially address these concerns and lead to a more effective resolution.