With Bengaluru receiving heavy rains over the past week, potholes have resurfaced across the city, with commuters saying they are left guessing where the road ends and where drains begin. The impact has been severe in high footfall, congested and low-lying areas.

In localities such as Chickpet and K.R. Market where business activities continue throughout the day, overflowing storm-water drains and flooded roads have made movement difficult. Traders told The Hindu that the transporters are reluctant to enter these areas, while even two-wheelers have been struggling to navigate roads flooded with drain water.

Bahadur Maan, a trader in Mamulpet, said the condition of the area is only deteriorating, alleging that the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has largely neglected the locality. “Whatever little progress happens is hindered by the rains. Continuous movement of vehicles, poor garbage collection and drainage issues only add to the problem. The entire area gets clogged, with garbage floating in stagnant water. Once the monsoon begins, transporters are unwilling to enter because of persistent flooding caused by drainage,” he said.

The situation is similar in several other parts of the city such as Outer Ring Road, around Silk Board Junction, Varthur-Panathur stretch, besides other areas. While the GBA has undertaken pothole-filling drives across its jurisdiction, motorists and commuters continue to struggle with damaged roads and flooded stretches. 

A resident of Frazer Town said multiple civic works undertaken by both the civic body and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) had already damaged roads in the area, with the rain worsening the situation. “The rains have begun and the monsoon is yet to fully set in. How will the civic body fill potholes under these conditions?” he asked. 

Large potholes have also been reported along several stretches in areas such as Kamaraj Road, Byatarayanapura and Lavelle Road, with commuters arguing that deteriorating road conditions have made commuting increasingly difficult. 

This comes despite GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao directing officials to conduct inspections, ensure PRAHARI vehicle parade (a monsoon emergency preparedness initiative), in their respective jurisdictions, and keep emergency response systems prepared to tackle heavy rainfall, flooding and related civic challenges. The Chief Commissioner had also issued a circular in April stating that disaster management responsibilities rest with the respective Commissioners of the city corporations, instructing officials to ensure all precautionary measures were completed well before the onset of the monsoon. 

When asked about the current situation and the measures planned, GBA officials said pothole filling is not a one-time activity and that the involvement of multiple agencies, coupled with continuous rainfall, has disrupted progress in several locations. 

While Bengaluru’s roads are riddled with potholes and several footpaths remain broken, encroached upon or flooded, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) have encouraged residents to walk short distances instead of taking autorickshaws, with the move drawing criticism online. 

The civic body has recently launched the “#1KmChallenge”, urging Bengalureans to consider walking for trips shorter than one km as a way to reduce pollution, ease traffic congestion and improve personal health. Through a social media campaign, the GBA argued that many short-distance trips that are currently made by autorickshaw could instead be completed on foot, contributing to a greener and healthier city.

However, the appeal quickly triggered a wave of responses from residents, who questioned the practicality of promoting walking when pedestrian infrastructure across large parts of the city remains inadequate. Several social media users pointed to damaged and discontinuous footpaths, ongoing civic works, pothole-ridden roads and flooding caused by recent rains.

Others argued that before encouraging residents to walk more, the civic authorities should focus on creating safe, accessible and uninterrupted pedestrian pathways.