Bengaluru's 'Beautification' Backlash: Citizens Slam Shoddy Infrastructure & Unfinished Projects

Bengaluru, often hailed as India's Silicon Valley, is currently grappling with a civic crisis that has residents, including prominent figures, up in arms. What was promised as a grand beautification drive, ostensibly to prepare the city for global events like the G20 summit, has instead devolved into a widespread display of shoddy workmanship, incomplete projects, and utter public frustration.

The irony is stark: efforts to 'beautify' are, in many eyes, leaving the city in a worse state than before.

Leading the charge of criticism is biotech titan Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who has not minced words in expressing her dismay. Taking to social media, she highlighted egregious examples of poor planning and execution.

Her observations paint a grim picture: footpaths left incomplete and abruptly ending, newly paved roads that appear to be mere cosmetic fixes, dangerously open drains posing a severe safety hazard, and even the inexplicable felling of trees for projects that seem to lack a cohesive vision. These aren't isolated incidents; they are symptomatic of a deeper malaise plaguing the city's infrastructure development.

Residents across Bengaluru echo Mazumdar-Shaw's sentiments, sharing a litany of complaints that range from daily inconveniences to serious safety concerns.

Many report widespread waterlogging issues, particularly in areas where 'upgrades' have disrupted natural drainage patterns. The state of damaged infrastructure, with broken pavement slabs and uneven surfaces, makes daily commutes a hazardous affair for pedestrians and motorists alike. The rush to complete these projects before high-profile international delegates arrived has clearly prioritized speed over quality, leaving a trail of half-finished work that residents now have to contend with.

The criticism isn't just about aesthetics; it's about functionality, safety, and accountability.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the city's municipal corporation, is facing intense scrutiny for its oversight—or perceived lack thereof. Citizens are demanding answers: Who is responsible for these substandard projects? Why is there no proper quality control? And why are taxpayer funds being squandered on work that is, by all accounts, far from satisfactory?

Areas like the Bengaluru Airport Road (NH 44), a crucial gateway to the city, have become symbols of this failed ambition.

What should have been a welcoming stretch of road is instead marred by signs of rushed and incomplete work, a testament to the city's civic woes. The collective exasperation of Bengaluru's citizens is palpable. They aren't asking for perfection, but for basic, well-executed infrastructure that enhances their quality of life, rather than detracting from it.

The 'Garden City' is indeed blooming, but with a thorny issue of unfinished projects and a growing demand for transparency and genuine progress.