BENGALURU: Addressing the city’s growing infrastructure crisis, Bengaluru Development Minister and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a stark admission—there is no immediate solution. “Even if God were to descend and walk on Bengaluru roads, nothing can be fixed within the next one, two, or three years,” he stated at the Namma Raste 2025 workshop organized by BBMP and WRI India on Thursday.
Shivakumar’s candid remarks highlight the scale of Bengaluru’s traffic and road woes, which have sparked growing public frustration. Despite earlier collecting over 70,000 suggestions under the Brand Bengaluru initiative, he acknowledged the city’s massive challenges, particularly its space constraints. “Bengaluru’s population has reached 1.4 crore, and vehicle registrations have surged to 1.1 crore,” he said.
Reiterating his long-standing proposal for tunnel roads as a potential solution, he admitted that tender processes have yet to begin due to technical, financial, and land acquisition hurdles. The idea of double-decker roads also faces setbacks, as many routes are already occupied by Namma Metro infrastructure.
Focus on Existing Roads & Coordination
The government now aims to improve the existing 13,000-km road network by standardizing design, quality, and maintenance. Shivakumar emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between civic agencies and stakeholders to ensure efficient project execution.
To tackle the city’s messy overhead cables, officials have been directed to remove all exposed wires. Additionally, the government is considering a new policy to protect public assets.
At the event, citizens urged authorities to prioritize robust public transport, better parking solutions, and long-term urban planning to ease Bengaluru’s infrastructure challenges.
