Bengaluru residents have raised concerns over the city’s spending priorities, as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) pushes ahead with its ambitious plan to build a 250-metre skydeck near the Hemmigepura region, southwest of the city. While the project is touted as a significant addition to the city’s landscape, many Bengalureans are questioning the wisdom of such a lavish expenditure—estimated at Rs 500 crore—at a time when critical infrastructure is in dire need of attention.
The proposed skydeck, which aims to offer panoramic views of the city and attract tourists, has sparked a debate among residents. Many feel that these funds would be better spent on addressing the city’s fundamental infrastructure challenges—such as improving road quality, expanding multi-level parking, and creating dedicated pedestrian and cycle lanes. These measures, they argue, are essential for reducing the city’s worsening traffic congestion, which hampers daily life for millions.
One of the resident of Hennur, advocates for the construction of multi-level parking facilities in every ward to ease the acute shortage of parking space. Such a move, he suggests, would help de-clutter the streets and reduce congestion without the need for costly flyovers or tunnels. Meanwhile, One from HSR Layout highlights the need for proper, unobstructed footpaths and cycle lanes. Many residents, like Kumar, are ready to adopt greener transport options like cycling but are hindered by poorly designed, obstructed sidewalks. A growing number of residents are also calling for the restoration of Bengaluru’s once-beautiful lakes and green spaces. Another resident from Banaswadi, for example, points to the loss of Banaswadi Lake as an example of the city’s neglect of its natural resources. Restoring such water bodies and creating green zones, they argue, would not only contribute to a healthier environment but also attract sustainable tourism, benefiting both residents and visitors alike.
In addition to these infrastructural demands, several Bengalureans have suggested innovative solutions to alleviate congestion, including a policy requiring new car buyers to prove the availability of parking space before purchasing a vehicle. This, they believe, could help mitigate the city’s worsening traffic woes in the long run. The timing of the skydeck project has also drawn criticism. Citizen activist Muralidhar Rao is among those who believe that prioritising such vanity projects over basic civic infrastructure is a misguided approach. He points out that essential services like public health, education, and the maintenance of core infrastructure systems—such as power, water, and transport—are struggling for resources, and yet, the government continues to focus on attractions that will only exacerbate existing issues. For many residents, this debate underscores a larger question of governance: Should the focus be on creating flashy, high-cost projects, or should it be on solving the immediate, everyday problems that affect the lives of millions? As the city continues to grow, there is a palpable sense of frustration among Bengalureans who feel that improving the quality of life should take precedence over adding new landmarks.
