'Don't ask for property tax': Poor infrastructure irks Bengaluru citizens; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw says past govts responsible too

NEW DELHI: A citizens’ forum in Bengaluru has called on chief minister Siddaramaiah to intervene and direct the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) not to collect property tax, citing "unscientific and incomplete" civic works that have caused flooding and damaged roads. The Individual Tax Payers Forum, representing income tax payers in the Varthur-Balagere-Panathur area, wrote to the CM on 13 October, alleging that municipal authorities had carried out "half-measured, unscientific, and poorly coordinated" road white-topping and stormwater drainage works. The residents said flooding persisted during recent heavy rains on 10 and 11 October, largely because of missing or disconnected stormwater drainage networks leading to water bodies such as Varthur Lake.

Despite the chief minister’s visit to the area on 27 September, the forum claimed officials had "ignored planning and resorted to shortcuts." "Instead of first completing the drainage network, which is the foundation for road stability, authorities have hastily started filling potholes and white-topping works in Varthur-Balagere-Panathur. Such half-measures will only lead to rapid deterioration of the new roads, wasting public funds and taxpayer contributions.

Panathur Main Road repair work, done recently, is already seeing water accumulation because of bad sloping," the forum wrote. The letter requested a scientific audit of ongoing works, proper interconnection of stormwater drains before further road projects, and accountability among municipal officials and contractors. It also called for good quality roads and footpaths to ensure pedestrian safety. "Namma Bengaluru is globally recognized as India's IT hub, and such civic negligence erodes the pride and credibility of Brand Bengaluru," the forum said.

"The city’s reputation as the 'Garden City' and 'Silicon Valley' of India was being replaced by tags such as 'Pothole City' and 'No Footpath City.'" "If the GBA continues to ignore taxpayers' requests for basic public infrastructure, we request you to order the GBA not to collect property tax from us. Give us good public infrastructure and collect tax," the forum added.'We are in this dire situation because of past Govts failure to act in time' The debate over Bengaluru’s infrastructure was reignited by Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who shared an overseas executive’s critical remarks about the city’s roads and garbage.

She also blamed past governments for the current state of the city. In a post on X, she wrote, "We are in this dire situation because of past govts failure to act in time. This Government has the opportunity to change this n act fast to fix these decades of deteriorating infrastructure n garbage management." She added: "All I am seeking is garbage clearance n road resurfacing which ought to be done by the GBA. Govt ministers need to hold them responsible and accountable for shoddy and slow work.

Here govt and citizens need to be on the same page. If garbage mafia is not doing their job then we." Responding to the criticism, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar highlighted government initiatives, including the creation of the East Bengaluru Corporation to improve traffic and roads for IT companies. "In order to help the IT companies, for better traffic, better roads, we made East Bengaluru Corporation," he said. Meanwhile, Minister Priyank Kharge told ANI that the visitor’s perception might have been limited. "I am not sure which part of Bengaluru they have seen. As I have said, the work is in progress. We are growing at a rapid pace, and whatever is necessary for the infrastructure improvement, we are doing it," he added.