Viral video highlights poor roads outside Google’s Bengaluru office: 'One word, unsafe'

The video has garnered thousands of views, with users directing criticism at the civic authorities for not addressing the situation.

A video circulated by the Civic Opposition of India on X (formerly Twitter) drew attention to the condition of the service road and footpath outside Google’s Bengaluru office. The clip showed uneven roads, broken walkways and encroachments that made walking outside the technology company’s campus difficult and unsafe.

In the footage, a resident narrated the problems while walking along the stretch, pointing out craters on the road surface, blocked pedestrian pathways and the absence of a safe route for those on foot. The post accompanying the clip read: “Let’s see what it takes to walk outside Google Bengaluru. One word: unsafe. Both sides’ footpaths are broken and encroached, while the service road is riddled with potholes.”

The Civic Opposition of India further remarked:“What should be the pride of Bengaluru is getting the least attention from GBA. The further you go, the worse it gets. We urge urgent action to restore safe, walkable footpaths here.”

Let’s see what it takes to walk outside Google Bengaluru. One word: unsafe.
Both sides’ footpaths are broken and encroached, while the service road is riddled with potholes. What should be the pride of Bengaluru is getting the least attention from GBA. The further you go, the… pic.twitter.com/fNpBr5Z1KZ

— Civic Opposition of India (@CivicOp_india) September 19, 2025

The video has garnered thousands of views, with users directing criticism at the civic authorities for not addressing the situation. Several also argued that Google should have pressed the government to upgrade infrastructure before setting up operations in the city.

Comparisons with global facilities featured in the reactions. One user wrote: “Five years ago, these footpaths were walkable and there was no encroachment. It was an easy walk from Mahadevpura to Doddanekundi. Today, the situation has only worsened, with no effort from the authorities to restore or improve basic road conditions.”

Another commented on corruption and the city’s poor standards: “This is nothing but 100% corruption, I have lived in smaller towns abroad with less than 5 per cent of revenue of BBMP. They have better footpaths and public services.”

Others suggested the condition would persist until Metro-related projects were completed. A user posted: “This will remain the same until the completion of Metro Works. GBA has proposed white topping of the entire stretch from KR Puram to Silk Board after completion of the Metro works & opening for Public use. We will hopefully have good roads similar to Central Bengaluru.”

Another added: “It’s a shame for Google not signing terms and conditions with state govt, at the very least, for infrastructure upkeep, before committing to such huge campus investment!”

The renewed attention on civic issues came shortly after Rajesh Yabaji, co-founder and CEO of logistics company BlackBuck, announced that the firm was relocating from Bellandur. Yabaji explained that road conditions and commuting times had worsened, writing:

“Average commute for my colleagues shot up to 1.5+ hrs (one way). Roads full of potholes and dust, coupled with the lowest intent to get them rectified. Didn’t see any of this changing in the next 5 years.