This year, pedestrians once again had to look for footpaths, dustbins on the brink of extinction and endless asphalting on stretches like JC Road that plagues the commute. | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
From asphalting roads to ‘Kasa Suriyuva Habba’, the Bengal civic body has rolled out a number of initiatives and announced ‘futuristic’ projects in 2025, but has yet again failed to address the city’s core pressing issues.
This year, pedestrians once again had to look for footpaths, dustbins on the brink of extinction and endless asphalting on stretches like JC Road that plagues the commute.
According to data, civic bodies have filled about 22,000 potholes in the city during the monsoon season. However, these potholes resurfaced throughout the season, causing considerable public backlash. | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
As if these problems were not enough, falling trees claimed four lives in the city, while stray dogs and bad road sections claimed one life each and several others were injured. Unfortunately, none of these issues received sustained attention from the civic body, whose primary focus remained on ensuring a smooth “transition phase” from one corporation to five civic bodies.
Roads and potholes
According to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) data, civic bodies filled about 22,000 potholes in the city during the monsoon season. However, these potholes resurfaced throughout the season, causing considerable public backlash.
The problem further escalated when the logistics firm announced its decision to exit the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The debate intensified after business leaders like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Mohandas Pai joined the conversation. The breakdown of a BMTC bus on the Outer Ring Road exposed years of negligence and poor planning in the expansion of East Bengaluru.
The civil authority’s response was limited to quick fixes that did not last or address the root causes. Amid threats to the city’s greenery, the asphalt work was carried out without leaving any ground space for trees, a problem that experts say is contributing to falling trees. According to data, Bengaluru has seen 1,200 tree falls this year, the highest in a single year, and more than 2,100 cases of tree branches snapping.
The delayed work on the JC Road whitewash has caused traffic chaos and affected businesses along the one kilometer stretch. A similar situation developed when the civic body embarked on white-lining on Panathur Road. The delay on the stretch caused chaos at the Marathahalli junction, with the left HAL Airport Road choked, significantly extending the peak hours and frustrating commuters.
While roads remained a major concern, roads encroaching on footpaths largely led to public backlash about “illegal” evictions. While they focused on vendors, clearing trash and debris on the trails remained unchanged. To address this issue, Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited has changed the timing of waste collection and intensified collection of fines. The agency also piloted a waste collection kiosk in Adugodi, which remained out of service for most of the day.
The menace of the stray dog
A 68-year-old Seetappa man was mauled to death by stray dogs. The highest number of dog bite cases was recorded in 2023, when the number of cases exceeded the 25,000 mark. Although ambitious and widely praised stray dog feeding and chipping projects were announced, they did not gain the attention of newly formed corporations.
Published – 22 Dec 2025 22:33 IST
