As someone who has lived and worked in Bangalore for years, I have seen this city grow into a bustling tech hub, a symbol of modern India, attracting talent and investment from around the world. And yet, as I drive through the city each day, I cannot help but wonder: why are our roads still in such terrible shape? How is it possible that a city as vibrant and successful as Bangalore remains plagued by poor infrastructure, endless traffic, and roads that are outright dangerous?
Despite the high taxes residents pay, including the ₹10,500 crore in road tax collected last year alone, we’re faced daily with potholes, uneven streets, and clogged traffic. The time has come to ask tough questions of our government and demand accountability. For a city contributing so much to India’s economy, Bangalore’s road situation is not just an inconvenience; it’s a problem that affects safety, productivity, and quality of life.
The Daily Struggle of Commuting in Bangalore
Every day, countless Bangaloreans endure long, frustrating commutes. With over 80 lakh registered vehicles crowding the roads, getting from one place to another has become a slow, exhausting task. The delays are endless, often turning a 30-minute journey into a two-hour ordeal. In an era when time is money, how much productivity is lost each day as people sit idling in their cars?
Beyond the time wasted, these long commutes come with other hidden costs. For instance, the amount of fuel burned while idling in traffic adds up quickly, as does the wear and tear on our vehicles caused by pothole-ridden roads. And let’s not forget the impact on mental well-being. After all, navigating Bangalore’s roads has become a source of daily stress for many of us, myself included. It’s hard to ignore the irony of a tech-driven city like Bangalore being stuck in a transport system that feels outdated and inefficient.
High Taxes, But Where’s the Improvement?
Let’s talk about road tax. Bangalore, and Karnataka as a whole, has one of the highest rates of road tax in the country. Every vehicle owner pays thousands of rupees to keep our roads maintained and safe. In 2023 alone, the state collected a staggering ₹10,500 crore in road tax. But where is this money going?
Here’s a breakdown of the road tax collected in recent years:
| Year | Road Tax Collected (INR) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | ₹8,000 crore |
| 2022 | ₹9,500 crore |
| 2023 | ₹10,500 crore |
| 2024 (Projected) | ₹11,000 crore |
Clearly, there’s no shortage of funds. And yet, every time it rains, our roads flood. Every monsoon, the city turns into an obstacle course of potholes and waterlogged streets. The road conditions deteriorate rapidly, and it’s the citizens who pay the price. We’re paying high taxes, but what are we getting in return?
Unsafe Roads: A Growing Threat to Our Lives
Road conditions in Bangalore are not just an inconvenience; they are a serious safety hazard. Every day, people risk their lives commuting on these roads. Poor maintenance, lack of adequate lighting, and insufficient pedestrian crossings have led to a sharp increase in road accidents. When roads are riddled with potholes and missing critical safety features, they become a threat to everyone, from motorists to cyclists to pedestrians.
Consider the data on road accidents in Karnataka:
| Year | Total Accidents | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 35,000 | 12,000 |
| 2022 | 39,763 | 11,702 |
| 2023 | 38,500 | 11,500 |
While there has been a slight decrease in fatalities, the number of accidents remains alarmingly high. Each of these accidents represents a human life impacted by our failing infrastructure. These aren’t just numbers; they are real people—friends, neighbors, and family members. As someone who cares deeply about this city and its people, I find this trend deeply troubling. When will the government step in and make road safety a priority?
The Economic Impact of Poor Infrastructure
It’s not just individuals who are affected. Businesses, too, bear the brunt of Bangalore’s poor infrastructure. From delayed deliveries to increased fuel costs, the economic impact is widespread. Companies lose valuable work hours as employees sit in traffic, affecting productivity. Logistics and transportation costs rise as vehicles suffer more frequent damage on bad roads, and travel times increase.
As the editor of Global Business Line, I often hear from businesses and professionals about the challenges they face due to Bangalore’s infrastructure problems. It’s disheartening to see a city with so much potential hindered by something as basic as its roads. Bangalore’s economy is booming, yet its infrastructure is lagging far behind. If we want to maintain our position as a global tech hub, we need roads that reflect our aspirations.
Where Are the Promised Projects?
The government has made several promises over the years to address these issues. We’ve heard about plans for road expansion, improved public transport, and even smart traffic systems. But how many of these promises have been kept?
- Road Widening and Repairs: Many road-widening projects are still incomplete, and potholes continue to appear after every rain.
- Metro Expansion: While the metro has helped some areas, the network is far from complete and fails to cover large portions of the city.
- Public Transport Improvements: Aside from the metro, other public transport options remain limited and overcrowded. We need efficient and well-managed alternatives to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road.
As citizens, we are entitled to ask why these projects are taking so long. Delays and excuses are unacceptable when they affect the daily lives of millions of people.
In a recent post shared by Freedom of Speech Bangalore on X, a powerful message called out the deteriorating road conditions in Bangalore, specifically highlighting the stretch from Veerana Palia to Hebbal. The post questions the accountability of the city’s administrative bodies, including the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) and BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited). It reveals the frustration of residents who witness traffic police stepping in to repair the roads, despite this not being their primary duty, while BBMP officials appear inactive. This post resonates with many Bangaloreans, who are losing patience with an infrastructure that fails to meet basic standards of safety and functionality. The cry for accountability is growing louder, urging the government and its agencies to address the city’s pressing infrastructure needs before the public’s trust erodes further.
In a recent post on X, Dr. Ranjan (@AAPforNewIndia) highlighted the alarming reality of Bangalore’s pothole problem, recounting an incident where a person with a disability was injured after falling off their scooter on one of the city’s treacherous, pothole-ridden roads. He pointed out a shocking statistic: Bangalore has spent over ₹7,100 crore on pothole repairs in the past three years—a figure even surpassing Mumbai’s ₹5,700 crore expenditure. This post underscores a grave question: despite these massive expenditures, why are Bangalore’s roads still in such a dangerous state? Dr. Ranjan’s words resonate deeply with the public, who are increasingly disillusioned with the seeming misuse of funds and the politicians’ inaction, as lives are put at risk daily due to poor infrastructure.
Solutions We Desperately Need
The road crisis in Bangalore won’t be solved overnight, but there are several steps that can and should be taken immediately. Here are some solutions that could make a meaningful difference:
- Fix and Maintain Roads Regularly: Instead of patching potholes here and there, the city needs a proactive maintenance plan that ensures our roads stay in good shape throughout the year.
- Invest in Public Transport: Expanding the metro and creating dedicated bus lanes are steps in the right direction. Public transport needs to be a viable, reliable option for more people if we want to reduce the burden on our roads.
- Adopt Smart Traffic Management: Using adaptive traffic lights, real-time traffic monitoring, and improved signal management could help ease congestion, particularly during rush hours.
- Transparent Use of Road Tax Funds: The government must be accountable for how road tax revenue is spent. Bangaloreans deserve to know where their money is going and why they aren’t seeing the benefits they’ve been promised.
- Set Road Safety Standards: Addressing road safety is critical. Adding proper lighting, marked pedestrian crossings, and clear road signs can go a long way in reducing accidents.
A Call for Accountability
As a Bangalorean and editor, I am calling on our government to take responsibility. It’s time for action, not just words. The residents of this city, who have paid so much in taxes, deserve better. We need transparent, responsible use of road tax funds. We need projects completed on time. We need roads that reflect the city’s potential, not ones that turn into rivers every time it rains.
Final Thoughts
Bangalore’s road crisis is not just a problem for the city; it’s a problem for the entire country. This city represents India’s technological prowess, our ability to innovate and attract global investment. But if we continue to ignore basic infrastructure needs, we risk jeopardizing our future growth.
To the policymakers, administrators, and officials responsible for this city’s infrastructure, I urge you to remember who you serve. You owe it to the people of Bangalore to provide safe, reliable roads. Bangalore is a city of hope, ambition, and resilience, but we cannot continue to thrive if we are held back by something as fundamental as our roads.
This city deserves better. And until we see real change, we will keep asking the tough questions.
Kunal Guha is the Director, Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of Global Business Line, a leading voice in the media landscape known for its sharp focus on technology, business, and innovation. With over a decade of experience in the media industry, Kunal has built a reputation as a visionary leader, steering *Global Business Line* to become a trusted source for insightful analysis and breaking news across diverse industries.
Kunal’s passion for storytelling, combined with his deep understanding of technology and business ecosystems, has been the driving force behind creating a platform that bridges the gap between industry insiders and everyday readers. As Editor-in-Chief, he oversees a dynamic editorial team, ensuring that *Global Business Line* maintains its integrity, quality, and influence in the ever-evolving world of business journalism. Under his leadership, the publication has expanded its global reach, offering in-depth coverage on emerging trends, startups, and critical shifts in the business landscape.
