Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has strongly countered recent criticism regarding the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure, particularly the condition of its roads. In a sharp response delivered on Thursday, he brushed aside concerns over companies threatening to exit the city because of civic shortcomings, asserting that the government was not concerned with what he described as “threats or blackmailing” from the corporate sector. His remarks came amid growing debate over the city’s ability to support its booming IT and startup ecosystem, which many believe is being hampered by persistent infrastructure challenges.
The controversy gained traction after Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy made a pointed remark labeling Bengaluru as a “city of potholes.” This criticism coincided with the announcement by logistics technology company BlackBuck that it was shifting its office out of Outer Ring Road in Bellandur, one of the city’s most prominent tech corridors, citing deteriorating road conditions as a key reason. The twin developments fueled speculation about whether other companies might follow suit, thereby impacting Bengaluru’s reputation as India’s Silicon Valley.
Shivakumar, however, dismissed these concerns outright, insisting that Bengaluru’s global appeal was rooted in its unmatched talent pool rather than its roads alone. “We welcome them; if they feel Bangalore is safe, they will do business here,” he said. Highlighting the sheer scale of skilled professionals available in the city, he continued, “Why are there so many Fortune companies here? Because more than 25 lakh engineers are working here, while in California, it is only 1.3 lakh. Around 2 lakh foreigners are working here. Why? Because there is talent here.” His remarks were aimed at reinforcing Bengaluru’s position as an irreplaceable hub of innovation and talent.
Directing his criticism at Kumaraswamy, the Deputy Chief Minister accused him of indulging in political posturing instead of genuinely addressing the city’s concerns. “Kumaraswamy doesn’t have any stake in Bangalore. He himself is responsible for arranging the required funds. Let him give at least 10,000 crore from the Prime Minister. He has never raised any issue about the central government helping the state government. Just to be in the news, he is tweeting,” Shivakumar remarked, dismissing his rival’s statements as mere attempts to grab attention without offering concrete solutions.
On the issue of potholes, Shivakumar acknowledged that the problem had worsened due to heavy rains but emphasized that the state government was actively working toward a permanent fix. He pointed out that a meeting had already been convened to address the crisis, and another round of discussions was scheduled for Saturday to finalize a comprehensive plan. “We want a permanent solution to this, which is why I called a meeting and gave a deadline. On Saturday, there will be another meeting, and by then, they will come out with a plan,” he said, signaling that the administration was serious about tackling the problem systematically.
Shivakumar also announced stringent measures against contractors responsible for road repairs, stating that they had been given a final deadline to fill all potholes by November. He revealed that the government had earmarked ₹1,100 crore for road repair and construction across the city as part of its broader effort to ensure smooth traffic movement and restore public confidence. “Since our goal is a clean Bengaluru and smooth traffic movement, the Greater Bengaluru Authority will ensure that potholes are cleared at the earliest,” he assured.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks have not only reignited the ongoing debate over Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure but have also highlighted the political tug-of-war over accountability and funding. While critics continue to raise alarm over the deteriorating condition of roads and their impact on businesses, Shivakumar’s statements underline the government’s determination to defend the city’s standing as a global technology hub while promising immediate, large-scale interventions.
