Bengaluru: Prominent industry captains Saturday trained their guns on the Congress brass over the crumbling infrastructure, especially the poor condition of roads, in Bengaluru.
Mohandas Pai, the co-founder of Aarin Capital, targeted Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his party-ruled administration in Karnataka.
In a post on ‘X’, the former Infosys CFO told Rahul to ask the Karnataka chief minister to stop “threats to our citizens.” “Are we a police state here? People are suffering and protesting. You need to help,” he added.
He was responding to another post of a Bengaluru resident who complained of police disrupting their peaceful protest, demanding better infrastructure in the city’s tech corridor. A large number of apartment residents came out and formed a human chain in Varthur.
Bengaluru has been reeling under civic challenges, including pothole-laden roads, frequent flooding and a deteriorating quality of life for its 14 million residents.
The latest round of protests were triggered by the chief executive of a startup, Blackbuck, when he posted that he was forced to relocate from the Outer Ring Road (ORR) due to poor quality of roads and longer hours spent in traffic. The recent rains have further exposed the city’s faultlines.
But the comments made by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru incharge minister D.K.Shivakumar equating demands for good roads to blackmail, has fuelled the already raging debate.
Bitcoin chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw reposted Pai’s comments as well as from other ‘X’ handles about the Varthur protests. A day earlier she had pulled up the Bengaluru city corporation over a post in which the latter was showcasing how it ‘transformed’ a pavement.
“Are you really proud of this? You reclaimed the footpath but it’s still shoddily finished. Full marks for effort but please ensure good quality finishing,” Shaw posted.
Shivakumar has been criticised for focusing on vanity projects like the Rs 40,000 crore Tunnel project, Skydeck and other big-ticket ventures and not prioritising asphalting roads and efficient covering of potholes.
On Saturday, the Bengaluru incharge minister said that nearly 7,000 potholes were filled up and 5,000 more were pending. “Nobody makes potholes intentionally, heavy rains have caused them. Those who want to do politics over potholes can continue to do so,” he said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Kiran MazumadarShaw is Biocon chairman not Bitcoin chairman. I am surprised this has been written, published after editor review.
People who comment also have some responsibility Mr CFO, you may recall how Infosys got the growth, you also being part through congress regime and now the problem is due to the said development as every one needs Bengaluru. Why instead you do not suggest the Industrialist/enterprenuers to move to two tier cities instead of blaming government for dependance on bengaluru. You also have responsibility of reducing congestion through your efforts, being a known personality. Already Bemgaluru has scarcity in every matter due to over development for which we all are responsible
Correction, it’s not bitcoin chairman, it should be biocon
Karnataka govt should be jailed for killing and injuring motorists with bad roads.