Bengaluru Roads: Govt Sets Nov Pothole Deadline

The Karnataka government has given contractors until November 2025 to repair all potholes in Bengaluru, after weeks of criticism over crumbling road infrastructure. The move follows a viral LinkedIn post by BlackBuck CEO Rajesh Yabaji, who blamed “death trap” roads and 1.5-hour commutes for his decision to shift the logistics unicorn’s office away from the Outer Ring Road.

Timeline

• Sep 14: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced ₹1,100 crore for road works.
• Sep 16: BlackBuck CEO’s relocation post went viral.
• Sep 17–20: Govt responded with pothole repair deadline.
• Sep 18: BlackBuck clarified it will stay in Bengaluru but move within the city.

Key Voices

• DK Shivakumar: “Contractors have a final deadline till November. No one can threaten the government.”
• CM Siddaramaiah: Ordered all roads fixed within a month, warning engineers will be held liable.
• BlackBuck CEO: “Bengaluru is our home,” but urged urgent fixes.
• Mohandas Pai (Ex-Infosys CFO): Called the episode a “big failure of governance.”

Industry Response

• Greater Bengaluru IT Companies Association demanded a “transparent roadmap” on infrastructure.
• Peenya Industrial Association warned firms could shift to neighboring states due to logistics costs.
• Andhra Pradesh’s IT minister even invited BlackBuck to Visakhapatnam, underlining interstate competition.

Impact

• Additional ₹750 crore sanctioned for repairs.
• 10,000 potholes geo-mapped; ~7,000 filled.
• A ₹18,000 crore elevated corridor project approved, with work starting Dec 2025.

Observers warn that unless repairs are completed quickly, Karnataka risks losing tech and manufacturing investment to rivals.

FAQs on Bengaluru Roads & Pothole Repairs

Q1. Why did the Karnataka government set a November deadline for road repairs?

The deadline was set after public outrage and criticism from industry leaders, especially following BlackBuck CEO Rajesh Yabaji’s viral post highlighting the poor state of Bengaluru’s roads and long commute times.

Q2. Is BlackBuck leaving Bengaluru?

No. The company clarified that while it is shifting out of the Outer Ring Road area, it will continue to operate within Bengaluru. CEO Rajesh Yabaji stated, “Bengaluru is our home.”

Q3. How much money has the government allocated for road repairs?

The government has allocated ₹1,100 crore initially, with an additional ₹750 crore sanctioned after the controversy.

Q4. How many potholes does Bengaluru have?

According to official data, around 10,000 potholes were geo-mapped, of which 6,000–7,000 have already been repaired as of mid-September 2025.

Q5. What long-term infrastructure plans are in place?

The state approved a ₹18,000 crore elevated corridor project spanning 110 km, with construction set to begin in December 2025.

Q6. What are industry leaders saying?

• Greater Bengaluru IT Companies Association demanded a clear roadmap for roads, metro, and utilities.
• Peenya Industrial Association warned companies may move to neighboring states.
• Mohandas Pai (ex-Infosys CFO) called the incident a “failure of governance.”

Q7. How are neighboring states responding?

Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh invited BlackBuck to move operations to Visakhapatnam, reflecting the competitive push by other states to attract tech firms.