‘Only potholes are 100% local’: Bengaluru Residents Hit Back at ‘Outsider’ Jibe Over Civic Collapse

Bengaluru residents are once again turning their frustration into humour, flooding social media with memes and sarcastic posts about the city’s worsening pothole crisis. What began as a joke about “outsiders” criticising Bengaluru has quickly spiralled into a full-blown online movement, calling out civic authorities for their failure to fix the city’s crumbling roads.

Viral tweet on Bengaluru potholes sparks laughter

It all started when a viral tweet said, “Anyone who criticises potholes or garbage mafia in Bengaluru is an “outsider” or “Delhi agent” or …. Only the potholes are 100% local”

Anyone who criticizes potholes or garbage mafia in Bengaluru is an "outsider" or "Delhi agent" or ….

Only the potholes are 100% local 🤗

— Kiran Kumar S (@KiranKS) October 22, 2025

Soon, social media timelines were filled with witty remarks, memes, and pictures of crater-sized potholes. One user compared the situation to a terminal illness, writing, “Bangalore is now a stage 4 cancer patient. Invasive potholes have metastasised everywhere. No surgery can save the patient. Only palliative care works until the patient dies. Unless citizen immunotherapy kicks in big time.” Another joked, “Outsiders come and go, but potholes? They stay, grow, and get their own postal code.”

Some even mocked the city’s misplaced pride, saying, “These potholes are created by outsiders so they can’t be Kannadiga potholes,” suggesting that the only thing truly local, and permanent, in Bengaluru might be its potholes.

Bengaluru roads turn into ‘LakeHoles’ after rain

The online debate intensified earlier this week after a Bengaluru resident shared a photo of a massive pothole that looked like a small lake near Varthur–Gunjur. His sarcastic caption instantly went viral. “Normally, the road size will be 98 per cent, and the pothole size will be 2 per cent. In this photo shot on 17th October in Bengaluru, the road is only 2 per cent, and the ‘LakeHole’ is 98 per cent. @GBAChief Comm ji, can we make Varthur–Gunjur pothole-free?” he wrote.

Normally the Road size will be 98% and the Pothole size would be 2%.

In this photo shot on 17th October 2025 in Bengaluru, Road is only 2% and LakeHole is 98% 🙏@GBAChiefComm ji, can we make Varthur-Gunjur Pothole Free?#FI pic.twitter.com/pYYLKpG63O

— Fundamental Investor ™ 🇮🇳 (@FI_InvestIndia) October 18, 2025

The tweet captured the absurd reality many commuters face daily: roads that disappear under puddles after even a light drizzle. For many, the humour hides deep frustration over years of unfulfilled promises and patchwork repairs.

Citizens demand accountability from civic agencies

As memes went viral, Bengaluru residents continued tagging civic authorities and politicians, demanding urgent action. Social media has become an outlet for anger and helplessness, as residents say that traditional complaint systems rarely yield results.

Several users pointed out that potholes reappear within weeks of being repaired, often due to poor-quality materials and lack of proper drainage. “We’re stuck in an endless cycle of repair and re-pothole,” one post read.

The Karnataka government steps in with repair orders

Taking note of the growing public anger, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao to ensure that all potholes across the city are filled within a week. According to Deccan Herald, the Chief Minister issued the instructions during a groundbreaking ceremony (gusli puja) in Gandhinagar, one of Bengaluru’s oldest areas. He also ordered that a fresh layer of tar be laid on damaged stretches to improve road quality.

Siddaramaiah assured residents that the government would continue to invest in improving Bengaluru’s infrastructure and emphasised the need to keep up with the city’s rapid growth.

Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The opinions and reactions featured reflect individual users’ personal views.