All potholes in Bengaluru will be fixed by November, says Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has promised to resolve the city's longstanding road issues, announcing a deadline of November to fill all potholes across Bengaluru.
The assurance, which echoes similar pledges in previous years, comes amid growing frustration from residents and businesses, as Bengaluru’s crumbling infrastructure continues to tarnish the city’s image.
“We have given an ultimatum to contractors and engineers to repair potholes by November. Our government is committed to providing a clean Bengaluru and also ensure smooth movement of vehicles,” Shivakumar stated in a post on X.
He said that asphalting works covering 349 km across 182 roads are underway at an estimated cost of Rs 649 crore. “I have directed officials to complete this project quickly so that there are no potholes or instances of waterlogging,” he added.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ರಸ್ತೆ ಗುಂಡಿಗಳ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಯನ್ನು ಬಗೆಹರಿಸಲು ನವೆಂಬರ್ ಒಳಗೆ ರಸ್ತೆ ಗುಂಡಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಚ್ಚುವಂತೆ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆದಾರರಿಗೆ ಅಂತಿಮ ಗಡುವು ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಸ್ವಚ್ಛ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹಾಗೂ ಸುಗಮ ಸಂಚಾರವೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಗುರಿಯಾಗಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಆದಷ್ಟು ಬೇಗ ರಸ್ತೆ ಗುಂಡಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಜಿಬಿಎ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ನೀಡಲಿದೆ. pic.twitter.com/wJWr7mTfgx
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) September 17, 2025
In addition, the Deputy CM highlighted that 178 roads, covering about 401 kilometers, are currently under the Defect Liability Period (DLP). Contractors responsible for these roads have been instructed to maintain them and ensure that no potholes develop.
The post, published on X, has received mixed reactions from the public. One user remarked, “Deadlines have been set countless times over the years, but the situation keeps worsening. This November will likely pass with little change.” The user further suggested that ward incharges be rewarded for filling all potholes or suspended if they fail to meet the target.
Another user proposed that the government provide a 50 percent rebate on property tax if the GBA and the corporations fail to meet the deadline.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
