Bengaluru reels under rain impact; resident raises civic concerns
Bengaluru : Days after heavy rains lashed Bengaluru, residents are still struggling to recover from the aftermath, even as intermittent showers continue to expose the city’s fragile infrastructure. Adding to the growing public frustration, a city resident, Asmita Gupta, originally from Assam, has voiced strong concerns over the civic situation through a video shared on social media.
In her post, Gupta highlighted the condition of roads in HSR Layout, stating that even moderate rainfall leads to severe waterlogging. She pointed out that roads get flooded quickly, often accompanied by floating garbage, making vehicular movement extremely difficult and unsafe.
Questioning the state of urban infrastructure, she said that Bengalureans, despite paying high taxes, are forced to navigate poor-quality roads. “Every time it rains, potholes reappear, traffic congestion worsens, and the same civic issues repeat. Is it so difficult to provide basic infrastructure to a city that contributes significantly to the economy?” she asked.
Gupta also criticised the surge in cab fares during rainy conditions, alleging excessive dynamic pricing by ride-hailing services. She claimed that she was quoted nearly ₹240–250 for a short distance of just 500–600 metres. “Charging such high fares for such a short distance during emergencies is not humane,” she said.
Responding to comments suggesting she could have walked, Gupta explained the risks involved. “How can one walk when roads are flooded and potholes are invisible? There is also a risk of electric shocks, and wading through contaminated water can lead to health issues,” she noted.
She further expressed concern over how genuine civic issues are often diverted into regional debates on social media. “Whenever we raise questions, it is turned into a North vs South issue. People ask us to go back to where we came from. But we live and work here, and asking for better infrastructure is not wrong,” she asserted.
Her remarks have sparked wider discussions online, with many echoing similar grievances about waterlogging, waste management, and urban planning challenges in Bengaluru. Citizens have stressed that as a Tier-1 city, Bengaluru must ensure infrastructure that matches its global stature and economic importance.
