‘Even In London…’ DK Shivakumar Defends Bengaluru Traffic, Calls Concerns ‘Exaggerated’

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI/File)

In a bizarre justification for Bengaluru’s worsening traffic crisis, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday defended the city’s congestion, saying the problem was being exaggerated compared to other major metros in India and abroad.

He asserted that the traffic congestion is a global and national challenge, citing London and Delhi as examples, and said that the traffic issue in Bengaluru is receiving traction due to the vibrancy of the state’s traditional and social media.

His remarks came while he was speaking during a panel discussion on ‘GBA: Transformative Vision for Bengaluru with GBA’, organised by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), in collaboration with Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru.

“Even in London, people have to travel three hours if they don’t go by public transport. Even in Delhi, it will take 1.5 hours to reach Parliament from the airport, but Bengaluru is making more noise than Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad,” he said.

“Because we are very free to all friends, and our social media is picking up. Next is artificial intelligence and social media. We are not curbing. But as far as Tamil Nadu, Andhra and other states are concerned, the media is not allowed to work freely as Karnataka has been open to them. We accept criticism,” he stated.

Shivakumar also downplayed the severity of the problem, insisting that Bengaluru’s traffic was “manageable”, but acknowledged that it was “not an easy job”, adding that public complaints often “exaggerate the real situation”.

Speaking on the formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Shivakumar said it aims to ensure better and more effective governance and coordination among departments.

“Because managing Bengaluru city is not an easy job. People have a lot of expectations here. The biggest challenges of Bengaluru are mobility, solid waste management, and drinking water issues. Bengaluru is not a planned city,” he said.

“Every citizen should have a voice and understand their responsibility towards the city, just as the corporation must respond effectively to citizens’ needs. We are policymakers, but we never make decisions independently, we consult all stakeholders and then come to a conclusion,” he added.

The debate stems from logistics unicorn BlackBuck’s earlier announcement to move out of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor in Bengaluru, citing worsening road conditions and commute times of up to 1.5 hours one way.

CEO Rajesh Yabaji said the nine-year-old Bellandur office had become untenable due to potholes, dust and lack of intent from civic authorities to improve the stretch, he had alleged.

Later, industry leaders, including Pai and Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, flagged the situation as a governance failure and called for “emergency measures”.