In a bold move against civic negligence, a 43-year-old Bengaluru resident, Dr. Dhivya Kiran, has served a legal notice to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), seeking ₹50 lakh in compensation. The reason: the city’s hazardous, pothole-riddled roads have allegedly caused him serious spinal injuries, leading to four emergency hospital visits and continuous mental and physical suffering.
The notice, dated May 14, was sent to the BBMP Commissioner and highlights five core grievances, pointing to the municipal body’s failure to uphold basic infrastructure standards. Dr. Kiran, who is a regular tax-paying citizen, claims that Bengaluru’s broken, uneven, and often unmotorable roads have subjected him to chronic back and neck pain — conditions now medically linked to repeated jerks and trauma while commuting.
“Despite paying taxes, I have suffered constant physical hardship and mental agony,” the notice reads. It further states that Dr. Kiran had to consult five orthopedic specialists, receive injections and procedures, and continues to rely on medications for pain relief.
Dr. Kiran describes his ordeal as involving episodes of sleeplessness, anxiety, crying out in pain, and restricted mobility. The situation has made travel — whether by bike, auto, or cab — a physically distressing experience. Even riding as a pillion reportedly worsens his condition.
“Cab rides are only slightly more bearable, but still painful,” he adds.
The ₹50 lakh compensation demand includes costs for medical care (past and future), travel for treatment, emotional trauma, and overall loss of quality of life. Additionally, he seeks ₹10,000 for legal expenses.
If BBMP fails to comply, Dr. Kiran has warned of further legal and criminal action against the municipal corporation for gross negligence and failure to provide safe public infrastructure.
This case sheds light on the larger civic crisis Bengaluru is facing, where deteriorating infrastructure is not just an inconvenience — it’s becoming a public health hazard.
