DK Shivakumar takes bike ride through Bengaluru, spotlights pothole woes and urges citizen-centric governance
In a symbolic gesture, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar chose to ride a bike through Bengaluru en route to the Youth Congress State Executive Meeting, blending nostalgia with civic engagement. The DCM, juggling a tight schedule, said the ride allowed him to connect directly with the city and its people. As he traversed familiar neighbourhoods and arterial streets, he encountered persistent potholes, an issue affecting motorists, two-wheeler riders, and pedestrians alike.
He stressed that seeing these hazards first-hand lends leaders a better understanding of the daily challenges citizens face. Observing the conditions, he noted that such road defects are more than just inconveniences they are safety risks that demand urgent attention. The ride underscored his belief that leadership must go beyond boardrooms. Leadership means listening, observing, and experiencing as citizens do, he told the Youth Congress attendees, emphasising that governance rooted in empathy fosters effective solutions.
Shivakumar called for collective action, stating that resolving Bengaluru’s civic issues hinges on both political will and community participation. He reassured the gathering that the Congress remains committed to making the city safer and more sustainable. By blending personal experience with political responsibility, the ride sent a clear message of accessibility and accountability, reflecting a vision of governance grounded in awareness, empathy, and collaboration with citizens.
