Bengaluru’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), is under scrutiny for its failure to address a significant pothole and damaged road stretch in front of Raj Bhavan. Despite being a high-profile area frequented by VVIPs, including diplomats and senior officials, the damaged road has been left unattended for over a week.
This negligence has sparked public outcry, with many questioning whether the ongoing tensions between the state government and the Governor’s office are playing a role in the delay. The pothole, situated near a crucial turn at the entrance of Raj Bhavan, poses a severe risk to motorists navigating the stretch. Commuters, particularly those travelling daily on the arterial road towards MG Road, have voiced their frustration over the BBMP’s inability to act swiftly on such a prominent road. According to residents, this issue has persisted for over a year, with repeated calls for repairs being ignored.
Local residents and commuters are pointing fingers at the civic body’s apparent indifference to the deteriorating condition of the road. A commuter from Yelahanka, who regularly drives along the stretch, remarked that the pothole has become impossible to ignore due to its precarious location. Drivers, forced to manoeuvre around the crater-like hole, risk damaging their vehicles or encountering accidents. Many wonder if this neglect stems from BBMP’s lack of accountability or if it is a reflection of the larger political standoff between the state government and the Governor. With Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar having set a deadline of 15 days to repair all potholes in the city, BBMP’s inaction is particularly concerning.
As the deadline looms, Bengaluru’s residents continue to flag similar issues on other major roads, highlighting the city’s ongoing struggle with road maintenance. The situation in front of Raj Bhavan has now become a focal point in the larger debate about civic inefficiency and governance. While the BBMP faces mounting pressure to address this issue and others across the city, the silence on this high-profile stretch remains an alarming example of urban mismanagement.