“Even God Can’t Fix It”: Shivakumar’s Remark on Bengaluru’s Infrastructure Triggers Controversy

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of Karnataka has created some outrage with his comment that even divine help cannot instantly solve the traffic and infrastructure issues in Bengaluru. Residents, opposition members, and urban planners are all equally opposed to his statement, given Wednesday’s workshop on road construction.

“Bengaluru can’t be changed in two or three years. Even God can’t do that. It can be changed only when proper planning is done and executed well,” Shivakumar remarked.

His statements have been thoroughly criticized on social media; critics accuse the Congress-led government in Karnataka of slow infrastructure development and deteriorating traffic situation.

Experts and opposition criticism

Economist and Aarin Capital chairman Mohandas Pai dismissed Shivakumar’s comment, critiquing the government’s pace of tackling the urban problems of Bengaluru.

“Minister DK Shivakumar, it has been two years since you became our Minister! We applauded and welcomed you as a strong Minister. But our lives have become much worse!” Pai posted on social media.

Pai remarked that public transport is insufficient, footpaths are in a poor state, and major infrastructure initiatives remain unresolved. He encouraged the government to act at once by buying 5,000 extra electric vehicles, developing pedestrian infrastructure, and working around the clock to hasten subway development.

The opposing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also slammed Shivakumar’s comment, claiming the Congress administration had not handled the state’s infrastructure.

“It is very unfortunate that the person who said he would make ‘Brand Bengaluru’ has said even God cannot fix this. Then who can?” BJP official Mohan Krishna told to NDTV. “God has given an opportunity to a person or a party to serve the people. It is unfortunate that this government has indulged in many activities other than development.”

Response from government and infrastructure plan

Shivakumar later reacted to the criticism by pointing out that the government has published a road infrastructure guide meant to tackle Bengaluru’s traffic issue. According to the plan, new highways must be built, advanced bus terminals must be built, and laws to relieve heavy traffic crossings must be implemented.

Bengaluru residents and urban planners are nonetheless skeptical despite these guarantees because of years of broken promises and sluggish progress.

Bengaluru’s traffic congestion has long been a serious worry, with reports indicating that daily commuters spend hours stuck in traffic. Delays in metro extensions, poor road conditions, and a lack of effective public transportation options have made the problem worse and made urban mobility more difficult.

The Karnataka government claims to have long-term plans for urban development, but critics argue that urgent action is required to halt Bengaluru’s infrastructural degradation.