'Filthy' Bengaluru: Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's viral post forces civic issues into spotlight

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

A stark critique from Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw about the deteriorating state of Bengaluru’s cleanliness has gone viral, triggering a city-wide debate. Her comments pit civic negligence directly against citizen responsibility.

In a post on X, the prominent business leader did not mince words. She laid the blame on a dual failure.

Mazumdar-Shaw attributed the problem to “a combination of lack of civic sense and the incompetence of @bbmp in managing city garbage and debris.” She stated this has made India’s tech capital “filthy.”

A combination of lack of civic sense and the incompetence of @bbmp in managing city garbage and debris has made our city filthy. Citizens must cooperate by not dumping garbage and creating ugly dark spots. Pourvakarmikas need to be given better equipment and training to keep our…

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) September 23, 2025

The Biocon executive appealed for cooperation from residents. She also called for better equipment and training for pourakarmikas, the civic workers tasked with keeping the city clean. Her remarks, as per HT, have resonated with a citizenry increasingly frustrated with urban decay.

The viral post unleashed a wave of agreement and further complaints from Bengaluru’s residents. Many shared specific examples of civic neglect.

One user highlighted the situation in Banashankari, describing it as unhygienic and a pedestrian’s nightmare. “The entire Banashankari main road from near the metro station to Kadirenahalli is covered in filth,” they wrote.

Others pointed to systemic failures in waste management. A commenter suggested a scientific approach to transfer points between wards to prevent them from becoming “black spots” again. They also urged Dry Waste Collection Centres (DWCC) to accept a wider variety of waste.

The discussion quickly moved beyond garbage to question broader accountability in civic administration. “It is high time that we make government departments accountable for work,” read one pointed comment.

Another user flagged larger infrastructure failings, noting the absence of proper footpaths and lane markings even on key roads like Outer Ring Road. They lamented that the “highest tax-generating city in the country” was being taken for granted by its officials.

The issue of Bengaluru’s infrastructure has become intensely political. Mazumdar-Shaw’s criticism comes as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is rushing to address widespread complaints about potholes and damaged roads.
The HT report notes that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently defended the city. He claimed Bengaluru was being unfairly targeted over potholes, arguing that even areas near the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi face similar issues.