Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took a pointed jab at Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, responding to her repeated critiques of Bengaluru’s dilapidated roads and poor waste management. Speaking at the ‘Bengaluru Nadige (Walk for Bengaluru)’ event in KR Puram, Shivakumar remarked, “If she wants to develop them (roads), let her do it. If she comes and asks, we will give her the roads,” as quoted by ANI. The comment underscores rising tensions between the state government and the billionaire entrepreneur, who has spotlighted Bengaluru’s infrastructure woes on social media.

Mazumdar-Shaw’s criticisms gained traction on October 13, when she posted on X about a foreign business visitor’s dismay at Bengaluru’s road conditions and garbage mismanagement during a visit to Biocon Park. Tagging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and Electronics Minister Priyank Kharge, she quoted the visitor: “Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn’t the Govt want to support investment?” Her post highlighted Bengaluru’s struggle to maintain its reputation as India’s tech hub, contrasting it with China’s superior infrastructure and questioning the state’s commitment to fostering investment.

In response, Minister Priyank Kharge defended the government’s efforts on October 14, stating to ANI that infrastructure improvements are underway despite Bengaluru’s rapid growth. Mazumdar-Shaw shared his response on X, but on October 15, she escalated her critique, urging the Congress-led government to seize the opportunity to address decades of deteriorating infrastructure and garbage management. She attributed the city’s “dire situation” to past governments’ inaction, pressing for swift reforms to restore Bengaluru’s global appeal.

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Shivakumar’s retort reflects the government’s sensitivity to public criticism, particularly from influential figures like Mazumdar-Shaw, whose Biocon is a cornerstone of Bengaluru’s biotech ecosystem. As the city grapples with potholed roads and overflowing waste—issues that deter investors and frustrate residents—the exchange underscores the urgency for actionable solutions. With Bengaluru’s infrastructure under scrutiny, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver on promises of urban renewal to safeguard its status as India’s Silicon Valley.

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