'Is Road-Making Rocket Science?' Bengaluru Minister's Question Puts Civic Officials On Spot

Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda signalled a tough approach to the city’s infrastructure challenges on his first day in office, raising pointed questions about road maintenance and civic accountability during a review meeting with senior officials.

According to a report by The Times of India, Minister Gowda, who assumed charge 13 days after his appointment, met officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and commissioners of the city’s five municipal corporations to assess key urban issues.

During the meeting, the minister questioned why road construction and maintenance remained a persistent challenge in the city. He asked officials whether building roads in Bengaluru was “rocket science”, why pothole-free roads remained difficult

to achieve and why pothole repairs had become such a major business.

The remarks reflected growing public concern over Bengaluru’s infrastructure and indicated that improving road quality would be a priority for the new administration.

Bengaluru’s Growth Linked To Karnataka’s Future

Minister Gowda stressed Bengaluru’s importance to the state’s economy, saying the city’s development was crucial for Karnataka as a whole. “If we don’t fix Bengaluru, there is a serious problem for Karnataka,” he said, underlining the city’s role as one of India’s leading economic and technology hubs.

The minister directed civic authorities to prioritise infrastructure development in Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding outskirts.

He noted that significant investment had historically been concentrated in the city’s core areas, including extensive white-topping of roads, while many of the pressing infrastructure issues were now emerging in peripheral localities.

According to the minister, ongoing works by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in newly developing areas have contributed to roads being dug up, adding to the challenges faced by residents. He said the city’s outskirts were experiencing immense pressure due to rapid urban expansion and required greater attention from civic agencies.

Government’s Long-Term Vision

Gowda said the creation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the five city corporations was intended to provide a structural solution to the city’s long-standing urban management issues. He pointed to major infrastructure projects introduced by the state government, including the proposed tunnel road and elevated corridor projects, as part of efforts to improve mobility across Bengaluru.

At the same time, he said the government would continue to address day-to-day civic problems affecting residents.

Waste Management And Revenue Issues

Responding to concerns raised by opposition leaders over waste management contracts reportedly extending beyond 30 years, the minister defended the need for long-term planning. He said the government was seeking durable solutions rather than temporary fixes and confirmed that a panel of senior officials was currently evaluating the tenders.

Gowda also called for cooperation across political parties on issues affecting Bengaluru’s development.

Without disclosing specific details, he indicated that the government was working on measures to address disparities in revenue generation among the city’s five municipal corporations, with the aim of ensuring more balanced urban development across Bengaluru.