Bengaluru Rains Expose City’S Poor Infrastructure, Spark Outrage Over Highest Road Tax In India (Watch)

(MENAFN- AsiaNet News) Bengaluru: After just one spell of pre-monsoon rain, India's Silicon Valley found itself submerged, not in data, but in drain water. As waterlogged streets, flooded homes, submerged metro stations, and stranded commuters became the city's new reality. Bengaluru's residents erupted in outrage, taking to social media to question the government's infrastructure priorities and the return on their taxes.

With 132 mm of rain recorded in a single day, the city's already battered roads and choked drains gave way, unleashing chaos across residential and commercial areas. But what added to the storm was not just the rain; it was the citizens' fury over government apathy.

Citizens demand answers as 'Waterway Tax' mocks Bengaluru's failing infrastructure

One user sarcastically suggested the introduction of a 'Waterway Tax', given the Venice-like conditions, though without the charm or gondolas. The sentiment captures a growing public outrage. The citizens are questioning where their tax money is going as basic infrastructure continues to fail with every spell of rain.

Pretty sure Bengaluru has the highest road tax in the country and for what? To enjoy our scenic waterlogged streets that feel like a Venice tour gone wrong?Waiting for @CMofKarnataka to introduce a Waterway Tax next. Gondolas not included.

- V. T. (@vivt1801) May 19, 2025

High road tax but Bengaluru floods easily

Bengaluru residents pay the highest road tax in the country, and fines for outer-state vehicles are increasing, but all this seems pointless when the city's roads flood so easily. Even a light shower causes severe waterlogging, leading to numerous vehicle breakdowns within the first hour of rain. The city's failing infrastructure is a growing concern, and people are demanding answers and urgent action to fix the worsening situation.

The highest road tax in the country, doubling down on fines for outer state vehicles all seems reasonable until your roads are flooded need to raise voice against the failing infrastructure of Bengaluru, no matter how tiny that is.#failedinfrastructure #BengaluruRain

- Subhayan Ghosh (@mrsubhayanghosh) May 20, 2025

Bengaluru residents pay the highest road tax in the country, but the roads here are the worst in India. Just a few showers and we need offloading vehicles. So many vehicles broke down due to water logging in the initial hour of the rain itself. We need answers. #BengaluruRains

- Sunil Suthar (@sunilsuthar713) May 18, 2025

Children and commuters suffer

From school campuses to hospitals, the floods disrupted daily life. One viral post showed the Balagere-Vibgyor School area submerged, prompting concerns over student safety.

“There is a school in the area. Kids and youth are seeing this. Will they ever want to live here when they grow up?”

Dreadful state of affairs do we pay road,home,waste,gst and all sorts of tax every month?There is a school exist at the premises .Kids and youth are seeing this?Will they ever want to live here when they grow up?#RoadSafety #Balagere #vibgyorschool #Bengaluru twitter/NJ0LkMOVvy

- vishak c (@TECHNICALG58414) May 19, 2025

'We need answers, not ads'

Anger was also directed at the Karnataka government's spending priorities, with many alleging that taxpayer money is being diverted to political ads and welfare schemes while the city drowns in negligence.

Where is the funds improve the infrastructure of BENGALURU?The entire tax money spending for front page advertising in all the newspaper in India to fulfill the election GAURANTEES to send fund to their @INCIndia to keep their party to contest election.

- Reddy B M R ( Modi ka parivar ) (@ReddyBMR2) May 19, 2025

Constant digging worsens Bengaluru's roads

The city remains constantly torn up with frequent pipeline work that disrupts daily life but fails to provide effective drainage. Roads are often so damaged that driving or walking is difficult. Despite this, Bengaluru charges the highest road tax in India, an irony not lost on frustrated residents, who say the city's infrastructure is worse than many Tier-3 towns, a user remarked.

Literally the entire city is dug up, fitting pipelines (they're doing it so often, never seen a drainage solution this bad ever)No good road or even a basic road to drive or walk on, but #Bengaluru takes the highest road tax in #India -Irony dies hereWorse than a Tier-3 City!

- ISG (@IshaSG) May 19, 2025

User warns Bengaluru risks becoming the next Jakarta

Many users warned that if Bengaluru's infrastructure issues aren't addressed, the city could face the same fate as Jakarta, sinking under poor planning and unchecked construction. They criticised officials for ignoring the bigger picture while approving projects and blamed the Karnataka government for corruption and misplaced priorities, spending more on freebies than on real improvements. One user expressed frustration, saying,“I pay my taxes and don't use any freebies, but the least I expect is a city that doesn't collapse at the first rains, even before the monsoon begins.”

#BengaluruRains If we don't act on infrastructure the Bengaluru is going to be another Jakarta. The officals has to see a bigger picture here while designing infra & permitting buildings.

- Sudir Karamchand (@A1sudhe) May 20, 2025

Digusting government of karnataka. When Bengaluru is sinking with bad infrastructure and corruption, these loosers put up ads on every newspapers of their ironic schemes and freebies. #BengaluruRains #bangalorerains #BengaluruRain

- Mayank Metha (@mayank_metha) May 20, 2025

I pay my taxes and do not avail any of the freebies from the govt .The least I expect in return is a city which doesn't crumble at the first rains even before the monsoon sets in. #bengalururains#Bengaluru twitter/LilK8aaQNJ

- Anoop (@AnoopChathoth) May 20, 2025

Severe flooding disrupts key Bengaluru areas

Areas near Jayadeva Hospital and Hosur Road near Chandapura faced severe waterlogging during the recent downpour. Residents highlight that poor management extends beyond BBMP limits, with highways around Bengaluru also showing zero preparedness for the monsoon. The situation underscores ongoing infrastructure challenges that continue to disrupt daily life.

📍 Jayadeva hospital Brand Bengaluru 💥⚡#BengaluruRains twitter/oquDMbAaxe

- ರಾಹುಲ್ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ (@NameIsRahul24) May 20, 2025

Hosur road near Chandapura completely water logged. Not just BBMP areas, even the highways near Bengaluru City are poorly managed, zero preparation for monsoon. #BengaluruRains twitter/OftqlIMtBN

- Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) May 19, 2025

Neglected lakes worsen Bengaluru's flooding crisis

Bellandur and Varthur lakes, crucial for managing the city's water, have been left untreated for over two years. Instead of desilting these vital reservoirs, critics accuse the government of priortising personal gain, worsening the flooding during heavy rains.

This water was meant to fill Bellandur and Varthur lakes. But for over two years, our 'honest' government has been busy filling its pockets instead of desilting the lakes.#BengaluruFloods #BengaluruRains twitter/xbS5jKLmsb

- Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru (@east_bengaluru) May 19, 2025

Cyber capitals exposed by monsoon floods

One user compares Bengaluru's flooding to Gurgaon rains, saying a single heavy rain exposes the infrastructure weaknesses of all these cyber capitals.

#BengaluruRains leave city panting. #Gurgaon #Gurugram and #Bengaluru the cyber capitals of India are an infrastructural mess and it takes a single rain to wash down mask of perfection in both cities.#BengaluruRain #bengalurufloods twitter/lRhFoMY6yV

- Sumedha Sharma (@sumedhasharma86) May 20, 2025

Brand Bengaluru turns 'Bengaluru Beach'

Some users also sarcastically referred to Bengaluru's floods as 'Bengaluru Beach', mocking the city's frequent waterlogging.

Hahaha! One rain and natural beaches form in our cities! The twitter/MA0hVe0K5R

- karan J (@Karan16J) May 19, 2025

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