Bengaluru, 15 Oct

A citizens’ forum has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to stop property tax collection in parts of Bengaluru, alleging severe negligence in civic works that has led to flooding, potholes, and unsafe roads.

In a letter dated 13 October, the Individual Tax Payers Forum, representing residents of Varthur-Balagere-Panathur, appealed for immediate intervention, citing “unscientific and incomplete” white-topping and stormwater drain works by municipal bodies.

The forum blamed recent flooding, including on 10 and 11 October, on a lack of a connected stormwater drainage network leading to Varthur Lake. Despite the Chief Minister’s visit on 27 September, the forum said officials “ignored planning and resorted to shortcuts.”

“Instead of completing the drainage network, authorities have rushed into pothole filling and white-topping. This will worsen road conditions and waste public funds,” the letter noted, adding that the recently repaired Panathur Main Road is already waterlogged due to faulty sloping.

The forum demanded a scientific audit of all drainage and road works, completion of a proper drainage network before any new road works, and accountability among municipal staff and contractors.

“Namma Bengaluru is globally recognised as India’s IT hub, but civic negligence is damaging the city's image,” the letter stated, warning that Bengaluru is fast becoming known as the “Pothole City” and “No Footpath City”.

“If the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) cannot ensure basic infrastructure, it should not collect property tax from us,” the forum asserted.

DKS urges industry leaders to stop ‘hurting’ Bengaluru

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday urged industry leaders not to “hurt” Bengaluru and Karnataka with constant criticism over infrastructure issues.

Amid growing backlash over traffic snarls and poor roads, Shivakumar, who also handles the Bengaluru Development portfolio, asked industry figures to show patience and remember that the city played a key role in their success.

“Where were they 25 years ago? It is this Bengaluru that has given them everything,” he said, adding, “If they want to blackmail or threaten us on social media, it's left to them.”

He highlighted new infrastructure plans, including Rs 1,673 crore retained by East Bengaluru Corporation for direct improvements in 50 IT corridor wards. He also said a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy is being formulated to track contributions.

Responding to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s remarks, he said, “This is not China. We have democratic processes; no one will allow their own property to be demolished for road widening.”

Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw recently reignited debate over Bengaluru’s crumbling infrastructure

Shaw on a post had witterns: "Why are the roads so bad, and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn’t the Govt want to support investment? I have just come from China and can’t understand why India can’t get its act together, especially when the winds are favourable?" 

He insisted Karnataka remained unmatched in innovation, talent, and infrastructure. “Forget the root, and you will not get the fruit. The root is Bengaluru and its people,” he said.