**Bengaluru Residents Protest Against Bad Roads, Standoff with Police**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 20, 2025 | 07:12 PM*
Residents of Bengaluru took to the streets on Saturday morning to protest against the city’s dilapidated roads. The demonstrations, however, resulted in a standoff with the police, who warned that the protests were unauthorized and could lead to arrests.
Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “Save Bengaluru Roads” and “Fix Roads” while officers attempted to disperse the crowd.
**Protest Catalyst**
The protests were triggered by a viral video showing the terrible condition of roads and footpaths outside Google’s Bengaluru office. The footage highlighted large craters, encroached footpaths, and unsafe walking spaces, sparking widespread public outrage.
In response, residents from several housing societies along the eastern corridor formed a human chain along Varthur Road. They demanded immediate repairs along a two-kilometer stretch between Gunjur and Varthur Kodi.
**Safety Concerns and Political Voices**
Commuters complained that what should be a five-minute journey between Vinayak Nagara and Varthur Police Station now takes over 40 minutes due to poor road conditions. Locals also raised worries about frequent accidents and health problems caused by dust clouds emanating from the broken roads.
The protests soon took on a political tone. BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Congress-led state government for failing to address the infrastructure issues in Bengaluru.
**Government Response**
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar attributed the pothole problem to “natural causes” and heavy rainfall. He stated that over 7,000 potholes have already been filled, with more than 5,000 still remaining across Bengaluru’s roads.
Responding to the deputy CM’s remarks, Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Despite paying high taxes, residents are left with potholes, dust, and mismanagement. This is nothing but a ‘Loot, Jhooth, and Phoot’ governance model.”
As the debate continues, Bengaluru residents remain hopeful for prompt and effective action to restore the city’s road infrastructure.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/bengaluru-locals-confront-police-form-human-chain-to-protest/story
