Karnataka promises pothole-free Bengaluru by November after BlackBuck CEO's exit post

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Amid growing public and corporate criticism over Bengaluru’s crumbling road infrastructure, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered contractors to repair potholes across the city by November.

The move comes just days after a viral social media post by the CEO of online trucking platform BlackBuck, Rajesh Yabaji, who said his company would relocate from the Outer Ring Road (ORR) area, citing unmanageable traffic and poor road conditions.

“Contractors have been given a final deadline to fill the potholes within November. Since a clean Bengaluru and smooth traffic are our goals, the Greater Bengaluru Authority will provide relief from potholes as soon as possible,” Shivakumar said in a post on X.

The assurance follows his earlier announcement on September 14 that Bengaluru would receive a major push in road development, with Rs 1,100 crore allocated for repair and construction projects.

Tech industry body unveils action plan to fix city’s traffic crisis

In the wake of BlackBuck's announcement, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday invited the company to relocate to Visakhapatnam, putting additional pressure on Bengaluru.

Pushing back against attempts by other states to poach tech companies, Greater Bengaluru IT Companies & Industries Association (GBITCIA) termed the BlackBuck CEO’s decision as a serious wake-up call for the Karnataka government and unveiled a comprehensive action plan to tackle the city’s traffic woes.

“We recognise Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to attract IT investments, but Bengaluru’s unique ecosystem of talent, innovation, and business networks is unparalleled,” said GBITCIA general secretary Krishna Kumar Gowda in a statement.

“We call on the Karnataka Government to urgently address the infrastructure challenges outlined by firms like BlackBuck,” the statement read.

The GBITCIA's action plan combines short-term operational changes with long-term infrastructure demands to improve traffic flow in Bengaluru's tech corridors.

Short-term measures:

• Encouraging remote work: The association suggested increased work-from-home days for employees, particularly during high-congestion periods.
• Staggered office hours: Implementing different start and end times for companies to distribute traffic load throughout the day.
• Mandatory carpooling: Promoting or mandating reduced single-occupancy vehicle usage during peak hours.
• Temporary traffic control: Recommending strategic diversions and restricted entry/exit points at bottlenecks.
• Improved pedestrian infrastructure: Calling for upgraded footpaths and skywalks to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility

• Transparent roadmap: GBITCIA is calling for a transparent government roadmap for major infrastructure improvements, including roads, metro connectivity, and public utilities.
• Metro expansion: The organization noted that the expansion of the Namma Metro network is crucial for easing congestion, particularly on the ORR.
• Addressing road quality: An immediate solution for the city's pothole-riddled roads is high on the list of demands