Amid widespread complaints about Bengaluru's deteriorating roads, Biocon founder and chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has called on the city’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), to adopt the scientific road maintenance methods used by the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA). Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Mazumdar-Shaw expressed her views, pointing to ELCITA’s exemplary upkeep as a model for Bengaluru.
Referring to the innovative techniques deployed by ELCITA, Mazumdar-Shaw posted, “ELCITA designs roads scientifically and BBMP engineers need to adopt this,” sharing insights from a report by The Better India that praised ELCITA for keeping Electronics City pothole-free through proactive maintenance and advanced monitoring methods.
Mazumdar-Shaw emphasized the issue of water stagnation, a significant factor in pothole formation, as an area requiring focused intervention. Noting ELCITA’s preparedness, she highlighted that the authority has developed a drainage network with 75 rainwater harvesting pits, effectively minimizing waterlogging and its impacts on road quality. “Water stagnation causes potholes,” she remarked, adding that ELCITA’s design has been instrumental in managing heavy rain drainage and sustaining road integrity.
Referring to the innovative techniques deployed by ELCITA, Mazumdar-Shaw posted, “ELCITA designs roads scientifically and BBMP engineers need to adopt this,” sharing insights from a report by The Better India that praised ELCITA for keeping Electronics City pothole-free through proactive maintenance and advanced monitoring methods.
Public Agreement on Road Quality Concerns
Mazumdar-Shaw’s suggestion resonated with residents and X users, who voiced support for implementing ELCITA’s model citywide. User Nagappan Muthukumar commented, “ELCITA roads are the best examples to lay and maintain roads. I wish the ELCITA companies extend this to nearby areas through their CSR funds.” Another user, Bhavani Yerrapalli, urged for a broader strategy, posting, “Please design pavements for kids and old, the rest will be covered. Also, have plans from not just the city but a nationwide effort to reduce personal vehicles on roads.”The ELCITA Model: Proactive and Technological Solutions
Since its establishment in 2002, ELCITA has managed Electronics City’s infrastructure, initially laid by L&T, with a commitment to consistent quality. ELCITA’s proactive maintenance practices include regular road relaying and AI-assisted inspections. Every two weeks, its Road Metrics AI tool scans the roads for defects, allowing issues to be addressed quickly, according to The Better India. The result is pothole-free streets and less disruption from road repairs, setting Electronics City apart from other areas in Bengaluru.Direct Appeal to Government Officials
In addition to her general appeal, Mazumdar-Shaw addressed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and IT Minister Priyank Kharge, proposing that BBMP could leverage ELCITA’s expertise instead of depending on contractors. Mazumdar-Shaw wrote, “When we have ELCITA, I don’t understand why we use substandard contractors in high-density traffic zones,” suggesting that ELCITA’s effective solutions would be more suitable for handling the city’s high-traffic areas.Mazumdar-Shaw emphasized the issue of water stagnation, a significant factor in pothole formation, as an area requiring focused intervention. Noting ELCITA’s preparedness, she highlighted that the authority has developed a drainage network with 75 rainwater harvesting pits, effectively minimizing waterlogging and its impacts on road quality. “Water stagnation causes potholes,” she remarked, adding that ELCITA’s design has been instrumental in managing heavy rain drainage and sustaining road integrity.
