Potholes are an everyday reality on Indian roads, turning daily commutes into perilous journeys. Poorly maintained roads, riddled with potholes, lead to countless accidents every year, some tragically fatal. For those living in metropolitan cities like Bengaluru, the so-called Silicon Valley of India, bad roads are not just an inconvenience – they are a constant source of frustration and embarrassment.
Recently, a techie in Bengaluru, who returned after working in Europe, shared his ordeal in a WhatsApp message to a community handle called Citizens Movement. He shared how embarrassed he was over the appalling condition of the roads leading to his house. His friends from Europe and the US were visiting Bengaluru for the 100 km World Championship. But he didn’t want to call them over because they would have a terrible impression of India.
“My friends from Europe and the US are visiting Bengaluru for the 100 km World Championship on December 7th! I want to bring them home, but I can’t because the road leading to my house is in terrible condition. I don’t want to show them where I live – it would give a bad impression of India! I’m feeling really frustrated at this point, wondering why I relocated to Bengaluru from Europe. When will our roads become world-class?” he wrote in the WhatsApp message.
Have a look at the post here:
Dilemma of a techie! ? @siddaramaiah, @DKShivakumar Sir, when will Bengaluru’s roads become world-class? #BrandBengaluru pic.twitter.com/geiXfUflV4
— Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru (@east_bengaluru) December 3, 2024
The post struck a chord with many residents, who shared similar grievances about the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure. Have a look:
Poor guy, expecting #Bengaluru to become something else is beyond imagination
We can be number 1 in inefficiency, procrastination, corruption— saneyedoc (@saneyedoc1) December 3, 2024
India can never become world-class unless our roads become world-class. It is pretty much the same condition of entire India. We can brag about our cities and places by calling out other cities but deep down we know we are all at the same condition.
— Anniyan (@jbspeedster) December 5, 2024
Roads are banglore are in worst condition, my office is just 3 km buy it takes 45 minutes full traffic and broken road
— दिनेश कुमार शर्मा (@dksarmahp) December 5, 2024
Yeah.. it sucks… We get it visit their house for dinner during weekends
But we can’t return the same hospitality at home…
We take them to the best restaurant in town.. have a good time and bye..
we can’t even imagine bringing them to our locality…— Manimaran (@Manimar16175788) December 4, 2024
Nehru road connecting Hennur Road and Kamanahalli , which has two schools, the situation is worse with both sides dug up and debris piled in front of Bright school for past several months.
— Aby Sam (@abysam) December 5, 2024
Not only European friends, even we are embarrassed driving in such potholes, you can find average 10 to 25 horrible potholes every 100metres, apart from that excess fuel is consumed and vehicles going to showrooms more often, courtesy karnataka govt
— Koteshwarrao (@Kotesharna123) December 5, 2024
Bangalore is a beautiful place if it weren’t for the roads and road discipline. Really sad ?
— Kingmaker (@Kingmakermmj) December 4, 2024
Why is there a lack of consistent road maintenance in a city that boasts some of the highest taxpayers in the country? Bengaluru’s pothole problem isn’t just a matter of aesthetics. It’s a safety hazard.