Bengaluru: Even as the state govt claims to have filled the majority of potholes across the city, more than 1,200 craters continue to persist, highlighting gaps in execution, inter-agency coordination, and long-term road maintenance.According to official data, out of 41,150 potholes identified across Bengaluru till March 2026, nearly 39,887 have been repaired, leaving 1,263 still unattended. While the authorities describe this as “substantial progress,” civic experts and residents argue the real number could be significantly higher because of recurring road damage and ongoing utility works. Data shows uneven progress across the five city corporations under Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Bengaluru North accounts for the highest number of potholes, followed by West and East zones. While most zones have achieved over 90% closure rates, hundreds of potholes remain scattered across arterial and internal roads.GBA officials admit that freshly laid roads are often damaged again owing to trenching by agencies such as BWSSB, Bescom, and gas pipeline operators, leading to a cyclical repair problem. Govt has spent around Rs 33.9 crore across the five corporations for pothole repairs. A senior GBA official said, “Pothole filling is not a one-time activity. With multiple agencies digging roads and monsoon pressures, we are dealing with a continuous cycle of damage and repair. The focus now is shifting to preventive maintenance and stricter restoration norms.” Amid criticism, GBA chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao has directed all five city corporations to procure dedicated pothole-filling machines to ensure faster and standardised repairs across Bengaluru. “Each corporation must be equipped to respond immediately. Roads dug up must be restored without delay, and costs will be recovered from defaulting agencies,” Rao said during a recent review meeting.
