A witty observation shared online – a sticker on a car reading “not drunk, avoiding potholes” – quickly went viral, igniting a wave of humor across social media. Bengaluru residents joined in with their own amusing takes, with comments like “In Bangalore, all cars should have this sticker,” and the city offering “a dirt rally experience free of cost.” The lighthearted banter even included warnings like, “Don’t try to hug me, I could bump you off the road.”
While the jokes provided a moment of levity, they underscored a deeper frustration felt by commuters regarding Bengaluru’s persistent pothole problem and the inconsistent quality of road repairs. The public outcry has put significant pressure on city officials and political leaders to deliver tangible improvements.
In response to the growing public sentiment and embarrassing incidents, the Karnataka government has set firm deadlines for road repairs. Contractors are being instructed to fix pothole-ridden roads promptly, with the threat of penalties for subpar work looming. This urgency was amplified by issues on major IT corridors and areas like Panathur and Balagere, where newly laid roads quickly deteriorated, pointing to poor workmanship and temporary fixes rather than lasting solutions.
A focused, three-month initiative is now underway to make key roads motorable through resurfacing and asphalting. Project managers are emphasizing stricter oversight, including the potential blacklisting of contractors who fail to meet standards and ensuring adherence to material quality guidelines to guarantee durability beyond the next monsoon season.
However, the discussion also includes a call for increased funding and better coordination, with civic groups and residents advocating for necessary infrastructure upgrades, such as widening crucial roads and clearing drainage systems, to prevent premature road failures.
The city’s infrastructure challenges have even impacted business decisions. For instance, logistics company BlackBuck decided to move its office away from the Outer Ring Road corridor in Bellandur, citing the long commutes, constant traffic jams, and poor road conditions as factors affecting employee well-being and operational efficiency.