Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, after participating in a recently held marathon, criticised the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for the condition of the city’s roads. Tejasvi said that not a single stretch of road used by participants had been free of potholes. Other participants took to social media as well, confirming the MP’s allegations.
However, the BBMP, brazenly replied saying reports from an executive engineer and the organiser confirmed that the roads were safe and without any problem.
Tejasvi had participated in the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) World 10K marathon held on April 27. The event attracted almost 40,000 participants, including athletes from across the world.
In an open letter, Tejasvi highlighted the poor condition of roads in the Central Business District (CBD), calling it a major concern. The MP said that not a single stretch of road was free from potholes. He also said many runners stumbled, while some were even injured. He added that senior citizens had had trouble walking without falling. Participants in wheelchairs had to be assisted throughout the route, not because of their condition, but because of the city's crumbling infrastructure, the MP further said. He also said that the CBD area, which is supposedly the city's best-maintained, was in no better condition than more neglected localities.
“Just two months ago, I ran in the Mumbai marathon, and the experience was incredible. And today, it hurts to see our city like this,” Tejasvi said, blaming DK Shivakumar, who is in charge of Bengaluru, and the BBMP for the situation.
Soon after, social media users flooded platform X with their own experiences.
A user on X named Sudhindra highlighted damaged stretches between PES University and RR Nagar, mentioning trouble spots like V Legacy, Global International Management School, and Prestige Bagmane Apartments. He said that the BBMP and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should fast-track road links between NICE Road and Mysore Road to ease traffic.
Meanwhile, Vivek Malhotra, an X user said, “Run around Whitefield once–you will feel like you are on a trail run.” He mentioned Borewell Road as one filled with potholes.
Another sarcastically praised GEAR School road, saying, “After walking on this road for many years, my health has improved to alpha levels. Now I can live on any planet with zero support system.”
Mukunda, a Bengalurean commented, “It would be better to have a marathon on the surface of the Moon. The roads near Richmond Circle and Shantinagar are in such bad condition, and it's been more than 6 months.
Some residents also accused the state government of sidelining basic infrastructure while focusing on large projects.
Responding to the complaints, BBMP cited marathoner Abhishek Pal’s example and said that he had broken previous records by completing the marathon in a time of 29 minutes and 12 seconds. And this, according to BBMP, was proof that the route was in good condition.
Tejasvi replied sarcastically to BBMP’s note and said on X, “Ok, BBMP, now that you have said, we will believe that Bengaluru roads have no potholes. They are the best roads. And, you are simply the best. Slow claps.”
It may be noted that BBMP Chief Engineer BS Prahalad previously told ToI that Rs 19,930 crore had been set aside in the budget for road upgrades, including tunnel roads, flyovers, and road concreting. An additional Rs 700 crore has been allocated aside under the Brand Bengaluru initiative for micro surfacing minor cracks, with repairs expected to begin soon.