Dhivya Kiran, a 43-year-old resident of Richmond Town, Bengaluru, has issued a legal notice to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), demanding ₹50 lakh in compensation for severe physical injuries and emotional trauma caused by the city’s poorly maintained roads.
Kiran alleges that daily travel on pothole-ridden, unsafe roads has resulted in multiple hospital visits and ongoing health complications, including chronic neck and back pain. The notice gives BBMP 15 days to respond, warning that failure to act will lead to further legal action such as civil suits and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
While BBMP has not yet responded formally, this case has reignited public debate about accountability and infrastructure management in Bengaluru, especially in the wake of recent heavy rains that have worsened road conditions.
‘Enduring Pain and Restricted Mobility’: A Personal Battle Against Negligence
Kiran’s legal notice paints a vivid picture of the physical and mental toll taken by the city’s neglected roads. He has undergone nine hospital visits, including five consultations with orthopaedic specialists and four emergency trips to St. Philomena’s Hospital, where he received injections and treatment for injuries directly linked to the jolts and shocks of navigating broken roads.
“The pain is not just physical; it has caused sleepless nights, anxiety, and emotional distress,” Kiran explained. He further shared that the poor road conditions have rendered him unable to use two-wheelers or autos, and even cab rides have become difficult due to the constant jarring.
This has severely limited his mobility, affecting his ability to work and maintain personal commitments. His advocate, K V Laveen, emphasised that such negligence by BBMP is unacceptable and has demanded compensation for medical expenses, emotional suffering, loss of normal life, and legal costs.
Bengaluru’s Infrastructure Crisis Amidst Torrential Rains and Civic Apathy
This legal notice arrives at a critical time when Bengaluru is grappling with one of its worst monsoon spells in recent years. The city recorded over 130 mm of rainfall within 12 hours recently, leading to widespread flooding, traffic disruptions, and tragic loss of life.
The heavy rains have further exposed the frailty of Bengaluru’s road infrastructure, with deep potholes, broken footpaths, and waterlogged streets becoming commonplace. Kiran’s notice accuses the BBMP of “blatant failure” to maintain essential civic infrastructure, which has not only endangered public safety but also caused significant hardship for residents.
The notice demands ₹50 lakh in compensation and an additional ₹10,000 for legal fees, warning that if BBMP does not respond within the stipulated period, Kiran will escalate the matter through a PIL in the Karnataka High Court and complaints to the Lokayukta and State Human Rights Commission.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Kiran’s case is a powerful reminder of the tangible human cost of civic neglect. Bengaluru, often hailed as India’s Silicon Valley, continues to struggle with basic infrastructure issues that directly impact the quality of life of its residents. The Logical Indian believes that public safety and dignity must be at the heart of urban governance.
It is unacceptable that citizens should have to resort to legal battles to demand safe roads and basic amenities. We urge BBMP and other civic authorities to prioritise timely, transparent, and empathetic responses to such grievances.
More importantly, this case should inspire a collective dialogue among citizens, policymakers, and civil society to co-create sustainable solutions that ensure Bengaluru’s growth is inclusive and humane. How can residents and authorities work together to transform Bengaluru’s infrastructure challenges into opportunities for positive change?
