Residents of Prestige Lakeside Habitat in Bengaluru’s Varthur area recently came out demanding safer, pothole-free roads in a peaceful protest but were politely sent back by police, who said protests are allowed only at designated places like Freedom Park, some 24 km away.
The police warned of arrests if protests disrupted traffic elsewhere. Frustrated locals say the deteriorating road conditions severely affect daily commutes and safety. Officials from BBMP and Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) have acknowledged the problem, with repair plans yet to materialise.
The event highlights the widening gap between resident grievances and administrative response in fast-growing suburban corridors.
The Struggle of Varthur Residents
The sprawling Varthur-Sarjapur area, home to many IT professionals and families, has been battling poor road infrastructure for years. A striking example comes from students of Inventure Academy who documented 139 potholes in just 650 metres near Prestige Lakeside Habitat, with some craters as deep as 8.8 cm.
Locals recount how these potholes have caused vehicle damage, accidents, and unusually long travel times. Recently, some residents took the unusual step of filling potholes themselves in acts of both necessity and protest. Yet, repeated petitions and symbolic protests, including flash mobs and junk art protests like ‘Project Abhimanyu,’ have failed to compel swift authority action in the past.
As officials insist on designated protest zones, residents feel their everyday realities are being dismissed.
Long-standing Civic Neglect and Administrative Hurdles
Varthur and its neighbouring localities have witnessed a surge in population and traffic, outpacing civic infrastructure development. Despite promises and long-pending projects, road widening and repair work have been delayed due to land acquisition challenges and stalled funding.
The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) is responsible for major stretches, but progress has been slow. BBMP’s zonal officials acknowledge pothole issues and report ongoing efforts, but residents remain sceptical as daily commutes remain chaos-filled.
Previous protests a decade ago demanding curbs on heavy vehicular traffic and road widening show little visible progress even today. Citizens argue that persistent neglect, from broken footpaths to clogged drains, reflects deeper governance failures in Bengaluru’s IT belt.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The police’s insistence on shifting protests to faraway locations inadvertently sidelines the very citizens whose grievances demand urgent attention. The Logical Indian believes peaceful protests on sites affected directly by problems are fundamental to democracy and public accountability.
Bengaluru’s civic bodies must cultivate empathy and dialogue, recognising residents as partners in development rather than obstacles. The self-help efforts by residents highlight their resilience, but these should never replace government responsibility for basic infrastructure and public safety. Together, a more responsive government and an engaged citizenry can create a Bengaluru where growth does not come at the cost of neglect.
Standoff in the IT corridor between residents and cops for protesting over poor infrastructure in their area.
— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) September 20, 2025
Residents tried to hold silent protests outside apartments demanding better roads, cops stopped protestors citing lack of permission. Visuals from Lakeside Habitat apt. pic.twitter.com/4HUYZvz76C
#GBA
— Mohammed Yacoob (@yacoobExpress) September 20, 2025
Residents of Varthur, Gunjur and surroundings held a protest over pothole-filled roads and traffic in the IT belt. @XpressBengaluru,@NewIndianXpress,@mg_chetan,@aknisreekarthik,@ramupatil_TNIE,@RisingBellandur,@SarjapuraRWA,@RisingVarthur,@GBAChiefComm pic.twitter.com/woP18JNjxp
