Bengaluru civic body chief says road complaints drop after 18,000 potholes filled

Bengaluru civic body chief has claimed that road complaints have dropped after around 18,000 potholes were filled.

In an interview with Moneycontrol, Greater Bengaluru Authority chief commissioner M Maheshwar Rao said: “You can see the reduction in complaints regarding potholes. I don’t think there is as much noise about them anymore.”

He added that the 18,000 potholes filled were identified across the city’s 15,000-20,000 km road network.

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“Typically, in October, after the culmination of the previous year’s rains, potholes form naturally. This happens in cities everywhere. The question is how you address it,” he said.

“In Bengaluru, we are focusing on cement-concreting high-density traffic roads to ensure durability. This is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. We are already planning to concretise 150Km of roads at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore”.

He further explained that over time, major arterial roads- about 1,600 km-will be upgraded with high-quality construction and proper drainage facilities. “Preventive maintenance is essential, but it’s easy to lose sight of it given competing priorities and the need to complete projects on time,” he said. “Before the monsoons, we prioritise desilting drains, and ensuring causeways are free so water does not stagnate. We also address perennial drainage and flooding issues.”

The commissioner acknowledged challenges caused by poor civic behavior: “People often throw waste into drains, leading to clogs. While designs can mitigate flooding, some issues only become apparent after the first rain. Luckily, this year we didn’t experience major flooding. Minor issues in a few areas in June were amplified, but most locations cleared within 2-3 hours.”

He added: “We were fortunate this year, whether due to favourable rains or our efforts. We aim to prevent flooding and ensure that areas identified this year remain problem-free next year.”

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