Viral post comparing Bengaluru and Jakarta's infrastructure sparks debate

A recent social media post comparing Bengaluru’s urban infrastructure with Jakarta’s has ignited widespread debate online, with many questioning the city’s priorities in urban planning. The post featured a recent image of Jakarta showcasing well-maintained bus and cycle lanes, juxtaposed with a 1971 photograph of its underdeveloped past. The user highlighted that Jakarta, despite having twice the population density of Bengaluru, has managed to implement dedicated public transport lanes, while Bengaluru continues to struggle with basic infrastructure despite a massive budget. 

Jakarta which is twice as dense as Bangalore can afford to have dedicated Bus and cycle lanes.
Why can't we build it?

It costs way less than 1 lakh crore we're spending on those stupid projects. https://t.co/dm1KGxxSja

— Captain Vishwaguru 🗿 (@CaptVishwaguru)

Jakarta which is twice as dense as Bangalore can afford to have dedicated Bus and cycle lanes.
Why can't we build it?

It costs way less than 1 lakh crore we're spending on those stupid projects. https://t.co/dm1KGxxSja

— Captain Vishwaguru 🗿 (@CaptVishwaguru) February 23, 2025

">February 23, 2025

“Jakarta, which is twice as dense as Bangalore, can afford to have dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Why can’t we build it? It costs way less than ₹1 lakh crore we’re spending on those stupid projects,” the post read.

The comparison has sparked a heated discussion, with many users criticizing Bengaluru’s lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Some pointed out that parts of the city appear more neglected today than Jakarta did decades ago. Others called for urgent improvements, with one user suggesting a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system as a quicker alternative to the ongoing metro expansion.

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Critics argued that the lack of strong policies and political will is to blame for the city’s stagnation. “The common man deserves a better quality of life, but our leaders lack the intent to make it happen,” one user commented.

The debate continues as citizens push for better urban transport solutions.