The recent death of 32-year-old Medha Akarsh, who was travelling as a pillion rider in Ananth Nagar, Electronic City, has once again brought Bengaluru’s potholed roads and their deadly consequences into sharp focus. The fatal accident has raised serious questions about the state of road infrastructure, particularly in areas where commuters are forced to negotiate stretches riddled with potholes. The onset of the monsoon has only aggravated the situation. Rainwater has concealed potholes, turning already dangerous stretches into potential slippery death traps. The road near the Venkateshwara Temple in Ananth Nagar is a case in point, with commuters facing considerable risk every time they traverse the stretch. What is particularly disturbing is the apparent disconnect between civic authorities and the everyday difficulties faced by road users. Residents are understandably asking a basic question: if citizens are expected to pay municipal taxes regularly, should they not also expect the administration to provide roads that are reasonably safe and motorable? For many, this is no longer merely an issue of inconvenience—it is a question of public safety and accountability.

The monsoon is hardly an unexpected phenomenon. It arrives every year, giving civic agencies ample opportunity to undertake preventive maintenance and ensure that roads are adequately repaired before the rains. Against this backdrop, the candlelight vigil held by residents in memory of Medha was a welcome display of public solidarity. It also sent a powerful message that citizens are no longer willing to remain silent when poor civic infrastructure puts lives at risk. Authorities have now assured residents that they will look into the matter and seek an immediate solution. The hope is that this assurance will translate into action and that Medha’s tragic death will not become just another statistic in Bengaluru’s long and painful history of road-related accidents.

Safe roads are not a privilege. They are a basic civic responsibility

Tilak