Pothole Protest Ritual
In a unique protest highlighting the persistent issue of road damage, the Bharathinagar Residents’ Forum performed a pothole puja on Webster Road at Cox Town on September 27. The ritual, drawing attention from local citizens and commuters, aimed to urge authorities to take immediate action against the city’s worsening road conditions.
The residents, citing safety hazards and frequent traffic disruptions, conducted the ceremonial puja as a symbolic gesture to express frustration over the slow pace of road repairs. “We hope this unusual initiative captures the administration’s attention and speeds up remedial work,” said one local resident. The event attracted several onlookers and received wide coverage on social media.
Surendra Ravi of Bharatinagar Residents Forum who spoke to the media expressed his frustration with the lack of response from Bengaluru’s civic body. He alleged that nothing has changed despite their efforts to highlight the issue through videos and social media. “Not a single road in Bengaluru is spared from potholes, leaving citizens to manage this safety crisis on our own’’ Ravi said.
City authorities, meanwhile, have acknowledged the growing problem of potholes, which has become particularly severe after the monsoon season. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has stated that it is currently striving to fill 1,500 potholes daily across various city zones, including high-traffic areas frequently used by IT professionals and commuters. Officials emphasized that manpower and resources are being optimized to ensure roads are repaired efficiently and safely.
While residents appreciate the administration’s efforts, many continue to demand faster execution and better long-term maintenance strategies to prevent recurrent potholes. The GBA has assured continued monitoring and periodic inspections to improve road conditions across the city. The Bharathinagar pothole puja serves as a reminder of the persistent civic challenges Bengaluru faces and underscores the need for innovative solutions to ensure safe and smooth commuting for all residents.