Bengaluru: Recent downpour in the city brought down its civic infrastructure to its knees. Roads flooded, houses submerged in knee-deep water, waterlogging, potholes, prolonged traffic jams, disrupted daily lives. The Karnataka government is facing severe criticism from opposition as well as city residents. And these issues came only a few months after a severe water crisis hit the city during summers.
These issues have led to many multinational companies (MNCs) reconsider their choice to expand their base in Bengaluru. If such MNCs decide to opt other cities over Bengaluru, this could severely affect the city’s and Karnataka’s economy. Bengaluru has enjoyed the status of a global tech hub in India and houses several leading MNCs. However, the city has recently failed to address its infrastructural shortcomings.
Unplanned expansion, and city’s civic body BBMP’s inefficiency has left people suffering. Current situation in the city has anguished the city residents and forced them to take to social media to question the government and concerned authorities. They said that frequent flooding and damaged city roads affect business operations, especially in areas like Outer Ring Road (ORR) which houses several IT parks.
Industry leaders question government’s inaction
City residents questioned lacks of corrective actions on by the state government and also the BBMP’s inefficiency. Reacting to the current situation, Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys who calls himself a Bangalorean at heart, tweeted, “Lack of action by @CmofKarnataka @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @PriyankKharge on roads, drainage, traffic on ORR is leading to huge anger and is forcing many MNC’s to seriously consider expanding outside City. Promises made by CM, DCM repeatedly not upheld, trust down. This is very serious. CM/DCM should take urgent action to save city and jobs. Never seen this kind of anger and pain in last 20 years. Very sad at the misgovernance of city, false promises, lack of action. Sad day for all of us to have such a non performing, callous, indifferent govt which treats its own citizens so badly.”
Lack of action by @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @PriyankKharge on roads, drainage, traffic on ORR is leading to huge anger and is forcing many MNC’s to seriously consider expanding outside City.promises made by CM, DCM repeatedly not upheld,trust down. This is very…
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) October 21, 2024
He said that due to lack of corrective actions by the government, the city may lose several business opportunities and its status as preferred destination for MNCs looking to expand their base in India. Many other industry leaders also slammed the Karnataka government for its inaction and failing to uphold its promises, especially the ones related to infrastructural upgrade. Pai added that lack of action from concerned authorities in the city is driving several many MNCs to explore other cities for expansion, ans this may affect jobs and investments in Bengaluru.
Citizens voice concerns, slam BBMP
Social media is filled with reactions from city residents who expressed their anger over the incompetence of the city’s civic body. On Tuesday, several city residents slammed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for its inefficiency as the civic body entered its fourth year without elected representatives. This is the longest that the civic body has worked under bureaucratic supervision. Absence of elected representatives in the BBMP since 2020 is adversely impacting its performance.
After heavy rains battered the city, city residents took to social media and demanded BBMP elections to be held at the earliest. Several Bengalurians shared an online petition and asked other residents to sign it and demand BBMP elections. A city resident tweeted, “Our city is not functioning the way it should. Demand BBMP elections now!”
Our city is not functioning the way it should. Demand BBMP elections now! Sign Now: https://t.co/QQDM9pxfFp #ConductBBMPElection @Jhatkaadotorg @DKShivakumar @siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/HJskw235AN
— Deep (@deep_052009) October 22, 2024
Looking at city’s deteriorating infrastructure, several residents and techies suggested that offices MNCs and other offices should now explore other options like Hubli-Dharwad as the cost of living would be much less and infrastructure is less strained. Netizens said that drastic steps like MNCs relocating to other cities can only push the government now to take necessary action.
