Bengaluru residents fend for themselves as city faces 4 years without BBMP Corporators

Heavy rains have once again turned Bengaluru's streets into rivers, leaving vehicles submerged, residents stranded, and entire neighborhoods waterlogged. Rescue operations saw boats and tractors deployed to help people, while motorists were stuck in tech corridors for hours. Collapsed buildings and flooded underpasses painted a grim picture of the city's infrastructure woes.

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Despite being India's tech hub and a center for citizen activism, Bengaluru has been without an elected civic body for over four years. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), responsible for managing the city's infrastructure, is currently run by bureaucrats appointed by the state government. Without an elected mayor or council members, citizens have no direct representation to address local issues or voice concerns in civic meetings.

While BBMP bureaucrats blame the unprecedented rains for the city's recurring flood troubles, state officials have offered little reassurance. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who oversees Bengaluru’s development, compared the situation to flooding in Dubai, while Home Minister G Parameshwara remarked that rainwater couldn't be sent back to the skies.

In February 2024, a Rs 12,369-crore BBMP budget for 2024-25 was passed without any public consultation or discussion. With no elected leaders, residents feel powerless as the city's infrastructure crumbles under the weight of heavy rains, leaving them to fend for themselves. Many are now demanding elections and better civic governance.