Bengaluru: From Silicon Valley to Urban Disaster

Introduction

• Bengaluru known as the Silicon Valley of India and a man-made urban disaster.
• Issues: Water shortage, traffic, language conflict.
• Once the Garden City, now facing severe urban challenges.

Water Shortage

• Residents struggle with water supply, chasing tankers, long queues.
• Major lakes, such as Bellandur Lake, have dried up due to overuse and mismanagement.
• Rapid urbanization led Bengaluru to become an urban desert.
• Reliance on Kaveri River and groundwater, both monsoon-dependent.

Historical Background

• 1911: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) established, fostering industrial growth.
• Karnataka's premier institute contributing to research and development.
• Post-independence: PSUs like HAL formed, ecosystem around IISc grows stronger.
• 1978: India's first electronic city starts in Bengaluru.
• 1983: Infosys established in Bengaluru.
• 1985: American company Texas Instruments set up India’s first software design center in Bengaluru.

Industrial Boom

• Liberalization in 1991 boosted foreign investment and tech growth.
• Rapid increase in software exports, from ₹ 16 crore to ₹ 3500 crore within a few years.
• Between 2001-2010, Bengaluru known as Silicon Valley of India.

Issues Facing Bengaluru

Urbanization and Floods

• Illegal construction leading to floods during monsoon.
• Unauthorized constructions in valleys and on lake beds disrupted natural water flow.
• Modern system destroyed ingenious lake system that conserved water.

Traffic Congestion

• One of the most congested cities in the world.
• Average commute time: 28 minutes for 10 km, up to 2 hours for 1.5 km in peak hours.
• Population grew by 164% from 2000 to 2015; infrastructure did not keep pace.
• Encroachment and insufficient public transport worsen traffic.
• Limited metro connectivity compared to city's needs.

Public Infrastructure and Governance Issues

• Inconsistent urban planning and governance affecting city development.
• Political changes leading to stalling of development projects.
• Corruption and lack of timely completion of metro projects exacerbating problems.

Language Conflict

• Activism to remove Hindi and English boards in favor of Kannada becoming violent.
• Incidents of vandalism and harming business properties.
• Deterrent for local and foreign investors.

Conclusion

• Bengaluru's success as a tech and industrial hub hampered by severe infrastructural and governance issues.
• Need for better urban planning, water conservation, and public transport to sustain growth.
• Addressing language conflict and improving governance essential for city’s future.