On Tuesday, Bengaluru’s Deputy Chief Minister and Development Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, shared a significant update on the city’s road infrastructure. He announced that an impressive 13,000 potholes have already been repaired across Bengaluru, with comprehensive photo and video documentation for each repair. During his city-wide inspection of ongoing road projects, Mr. Shivakumar extended an open invitation to the media to personally verify these achievements.
Speaking to reporters after overseeing the various projects, Mr. Shivakumar emphasized that officials are diligently executing government directives for pothole repairs. He further revealed his instructions for the creation of an extensive action plan, allocating ₹1,100 crore towards the development and upgrade of 550 kilometers of Bengaluru’s critical major roads.
Addressing potential challenges, the Minister noted that the concreting process at key intersections on major roads would span approximately 26 days. Discussions are actively in progress to manage traffic flow effectively during this period. ‘My goal is to deliver a lasting solution for Bengaluru’s roads,’ he stated, adding that the Chief Minister has also pledged an additional ₹750 crore specifically for ongoing pothole-filling initiatives.
Regarding localized improvements, Mr. Shivakumar announced a dedicated allocation of ₹1,100 crore to MLAs. This fund is earmarked for specific road enhancement projects within their respective constituencies, ensuring development at a ward level.
The discussion also veered towards Bengaluru’s persistent waste management challenges, a problem the Minister openly acknowledged. He recounted a recent incident: ‘While on my way to the Congress office today, I witnessed a truckload of waste illegally dumped on Jayamahal Road overnight.’ In response, he has instructed officials to utilize CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators, register a formal case, and seize the vehicle involved. He also highlighted the critical need for greater public cooperation in proper waste disposal.
Finally, when questioned by reporters about rumors circulating regarding a potential congestion tax for Bengaluru, Mr. Shivakumar unequivocally dismissed them. ‘Those reports are false,’ he asserted. ‘While some industrialists might have proposed such an idea to the Union government, no such proposal has been presented to us or is under consideration.’