Pothole Pandemonium: Shivakumar's 'PM's House' Defense Sparks Fury Over Bengaluru Roads

Bengaluru, often hailed as India's Silicon Valley, is increasingly gaining notoriety for a far less glamorous reason: its perpetually pockmarked roads. As citizens grapple with daily commutes punctuated by bone-jarring jolts and the ever-present threat of accidents, the city's infrastructure woes have become a blazing hot topic.

Adding fuel to this fiery debate, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar recently offered a defense so unconventional, it left many scratching their heads – and some, fuming.

Addressing the persistent criticism regarding Bengaluru's abysmal road conditions, Shivakumar made a statement that quickly went viral: "Potholes are not just outside my house, but also outside the Prime Minister's residence.

This is not just a problem in Bengaluru, but all over the world, even outside the Prime Minister's residence in Delhi." The remark, delivered amidst growing public frustration and a stern High Court scrutiny, was intended to contextualize the problem but instead amplified the perception of deflection.

The Deputy CM's unusual comparison came just as the Karnataka High Court had once again expressed its strong displeasure over the state of civic amenities, particularly roads, and had issued fresh notices to various municipal bodies.

The judiciary's repeated interventions underscore the severity of the issue and the civic authorities' perceived inaction. Against this backdrop, Shivakumar's attempt to normalize the problem by internationalizing it, and by extension, drawing a parallel to the nation's highest office, struck many as a bizarre and unconvincing argument.

Shivakumar elaborated on his defense, suggesting that attributing accidents solely to potholes was an oversimplification.

"Accidents also happen even if the road is good. Accidents happen because of rash driving, over-speeding, and other reasons. But people only blame potholes," he asserted. While acknowledging that some road damage was a consequence of recent heavy rains and ongoing infrastructure projects like the Metro and underground drainage works, his primary focus remained on downplaying the unique challenges faced by Bengaluru.

Critics were quick to point out the flawed logic.

While potholes might indeed be a global phenomenon, the specific and persistent failure to maintain basic road infrastructure in a major metropolitan hub like Bengaluru, despite significant tax revenues, is a local governance issue. Drawing comparisons to the PM's residence or global accident statistics, many argued, side-stepped the core responsibility of local authorities to ensure safe and motorable roads for its citizens.

The statement, rather than assuaging concerns, intensified the debate, leaving citizens wondering when accountability for Bengaluru's treacherous thoroughfares would truly take the driver's seat.