G Parameshwara calls potholes ‘Natural Phenomenon’, says Bengaluru still investor-friendly

Facing rising criticism over Bengaluru’s crumbling infrastructure, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara called potholes a “natural phenomenon” caused by rain and insisted that the city remains a top investment hub despite complaints from industry leaders.

In a remark that has sparked fresh debate, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday described potholes on Bengaluru’s roads as a “natural phenomenon” resulting from heavy rains. His statement comes amid widespread criticism from citizens and industry leaders over the deteriorating state of the city’s infrastructure.

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Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, during the flag-off of 50 new 350cc Honda bikes worth ₹1.30 crore for the Bengaluru Traffic Police’s Quick Response Team (QRT), Parameshwara said it was “unfair to constantly criticise the government” for the city’s civic issues.

Responding to complaints from IT companies and business leaders, including Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the minister argued that Bengaluru continues to thrive as an investment hotspot. “Already, ₹3-4 lakh crore is being invested. Is it not a good place? Is it not a good ecosystem for industries?” he said, referring to the Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) held in February, where MoUs worth ₹10.22 lakh crore were signed.

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Parameshwara further asserted that Bengaluru’s traffic management is better than in Mumbai, Kolkata, or Delhi, adding that the government is focusing on improving emergency response systems. He highlighted a new ₹26-crore command centre being established to reduce response times, drawing parallels with London’s Metropolitan Command Centre. “Their response time is five to seven minutes; we’re aiming for the same here,” he said.

Acknowledging the sheer volume of vehicles, over 70 lakh two-wheelers in the city, the Home Minister admitted that regulation is challenging but stressed that continuous investments are being made to improve infrastructure and safety.

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