There are no potholes in Bengaluru; it’s just a social media creation, claims Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar Friday, made a shocking claim about Bengaluru's pothole problem, stating that there is no pothole in Bengaluru, and the issue surrounding it is a mere social media creation.

"There is no pothole, there is no issue. It is only a creation on social media. Bengaluru is doing well. People from all over the world are coming to invest in Bengaluru, to live in Bengaluru, to work in Bengaluru," Shivakumar told ANI.



Also read: Bengaluru struggles with infrastructural woes: India's Silicon Valley needs a rest

Several prominent people, including industry veterans in Bengaluru like former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, have flagged the issue to the state government time-and-again, urging them to immediately intervene.

The outrage against the condition of roads in Bengaluru gained momentum after online trucking platform BlackBuck decided to move the company out of its current location at Bellandur on Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road (ORR), citing commuting and road infrastructure issues.

Also known as India's Silicon Valley, Bengaluru is often criticised for its never-ending traffic and potholes problem on roads. The city, home to nearly 12 million people and capital of Karnataka, is the "Tech Capital" of the world's fifth biggest economy -- hosting thousands of start-ups, outsourcing firms, and global tech giants from Google to Microsoft.

"I had an overseas business visitor to Biocon Park who said; 'Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn't the government want to support investment?" the Biocon founder wrote on social media.

Also read: Bengaluru poor roads under fire once again: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw asks why roads are so bad; ministers say 'work in progress'

Shivakumar's astonishing claim comes around two months after the deputy CM said that the repair works to eliminate the problem of potholes in Bengaluru are in full swing, adding that he had ensured that the engineers and workers were on the ground to complete the repair work with lasting quality.

"Pothole repair works are in full swing across Bengaluru. Our engineers and workers are on the ground every day, ensuring lasting quality in every repair. We are committed to delivering smoother and safer roads that match Bengaluru's growing aspirations," he said in a post on X.