Bengaluru’s notorious potholes continue to make headlines, and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who oversees the city’s development, is stepping up to tackle the issue head-on. Speaking to reporters on Thursday after paying tribute to legendary Kannada author S.L. Bhyrappa, Shivakumar announced he’ll soon sit down with IT company leaders to discuss the crumbling roads in key tech corridors.
The pothole crisis has sparked outrage from industry bigwigs, especially after some IT firms hinted at relocating due to the bumpy infrastructure. Shivakumar addressed this directly, saying, “Of course, I’m meeting the IT companies. They’re our friends, but they should also know their responsibilities.” His earlier sharp remark—”do not blackmail”—about threats to leave the city stirred controversy online. One IT CEO even posted about moving operations but later clarified they’d just shift to another spot within Bengaluru.
Shivakumar didn’t shy away from the drama either. When asked about his comments on potholes right outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in Delhi, he stood firm: “Of course, there are potholes. I saw them myself three days ago when I visited.” He accused the BJP of staging protests in Karnataka over the issue and fired back, “Our workers can stage dramatic initiatives in BJP-ruled areas like Hubballi and Belagavi too.”
On fixing Bengaluru’s roads, Shivakumar assured residents they’re on it despite heavy rains complicating things. He pointed fingers at the previous BJP government under Basavaraj Bommai, saying they neglected small projects for three years and collected hefty taxes from the city without allocating funds. “We won’t run away from this,” he added. “That’s why I asked the Chief Minister for help, and he approved Rs 740 crore just to fill those potholes. We’ll take care of Bengaluru.”
Shifting gears, Shivakumar dodged questions on the “Vote Chori” controversy, simply stating, “I don’t want to comment today. But we’re committed to our core principle: one man, one vote.”
The conversation wrapped on a reflective note as Shivakumar honored S.L. Bhyrappa, whose death has left a void in Kannada literature. “I’ve known him since 1993-94, when he chaired a Kannada Sahitya Sammelan we organized in Kanakapura,” Shivakumar shared. “He’s a true legend—his works translated into many languages and recognized internationally. Awards like Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan highlight his impact. It’s a huge loss for Kannada literature, but Karnataka will carry forward his legacy.”
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