Bengaluru in Karnataka under Congress’ Siddaramaiah faces pothole crisis as the city’s infrastructure collapses. As per reports, industrial hubs such as Jigani, Bommasandra, Harohalli and Dabaspet, which is home to thousands of small, medium and large-scale units, too, along with the IT hubs are feeling the pressure of the broken roads, poor drainage and severe power crisis.
As per reports, the state capital has 470 major roads stretching 1344.7 km, 50% of which are filled with potholes. Traffic department has identified 4,830 potholes. Last week, a school bus carrying children hit a road-side ditch and the bus tilted, endangering lives of children.
Industry association told the TOI that owing to months of official apathy, the movement of goods has been affected as logistical costs have gone through the roof. Earlier, Peenya Industrial Association had also raised the concerns to Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
Corporates say that owing to the high rainfall this season, waterlogging has been quite worse. As per the report, an aircraft component manufacturer in Bommasandra, which has been in the business since last 15 years, is on the verge of collapse owing to the apathy. This has forced businessmen to take their business elsewhere, such as Gujarat, which are perceived as more business-friendly states.
Along with poor roads, industrial areas are also facing power shortages, causing major losses in processes. There are also issues with sewage, water supply, streetlights and even lack of police outpost and a fire station.
In absence of basic infrastructural support, Karnataka under the Congress leadership risks losing the industries to other industry-friendly states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
