Bengaluru, 24 Sept

Opposition BJP on Wednesday staged protests across Karnataka, including Bengaluru, over the poor condition of roads and the pothole menace, targeting the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government.

In Bengaluru, BJP leaders, led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, filled potholes in Banashankari and other areas as a demonstration. Similar 'rasta roko' (road blockade) protests were held across assembly segments in Mandya, Chitradurga, Shivamogga, Gadag, and Koppal districts. Leaders, including Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan, and MLA SR Vishwanath, participated.

Ashoka criticised the government for “temporary patchwork” instead of proper road repairs and alleged that Bengaluru’s deteriorating infrastructure is prompting industries and IT firms to consider relocating. He demanded Rs 10,000 crore for road works in the city.

Hitting out at Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for comparing Karnataka’s potholes to roads in Delhi, Ashoka said, “People across the state are complaining every day about poor roads. Despite over two years in power, the government is blaming the BJP instead of taking responsibility.”

The Congress government has faced criticism from citizens and industry leaders, including former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai and Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, over the state of Bengaluru’s roads. The controversy intensified after online trucking platform BlackBuck cited commuting and infrastructure issues to relocate from Bellandur on the Outer Ring Road.

Responding, Shivakumar said potholes are a nationwide issue and accused the BJP of politicising it ahead of civic polls. He said the government is filling around a thousand potholes daily across Bengaluru’s five municipal corporations and has allocated Rs 1,100 crore for road repair and development.

The Chief Minister has set a one-month deadline to ensure that all major potholes are fixed and roads restored to good condition.