BENGALURU: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday issued a formal response to Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw after she publicly criticised the deteriorating condition of National Highway 44 (Hosur Road), a vital artery for Bengaluru’s tech industry.
The exchange began on X (formerly Twitter), where Mazumdar-Shaw slammed the NHAI for the “shoddy” design and poor maintenance of the highway. Tagging Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, she described the stretch as an “eyesore,” pointing to broken barricades, crooked medians, and unasphalted shoulders despite years of complaints.
“Is this what @NHAI_Official considers its proud track record?” she questioned, highlighting the contrast between the authority’s national claims and the reality of the country’s key IT corridor.
The NHAI’s Defense
Responding to the post, the NHAI defended the infrastructure, noting that the stretch—planned in 2005 and completed in 2010—has struggled to keep pace with “rapid urban and industrial growth.” The authority highlighted several factors complicating its upkeep:
- High Traffic Volume: The road now handles over 1 lakh daily commuters.
- Divided Jurisdiction: Responsibility is now split between the NHAI and various local municipalities, including Hebbagodi and Attibele.
- Recent Upgrades: NHAI claimed that periodic renewal works, including a full overlay, were completed as recently as April 2025, leaving the carriageway “pothole-free.”
- Ongoing Projects: To address congestion, the authority stated that work is underway on three of four proposed Vehicular Overpasses (VOPs), including one at the Veerasandra junction near Biocon.
Demands for Inspection
Unsatisfied with the explanation, Mazumdar-Shaw issued a sharp rebuttal, dismissing the NHAI’s focus on future projects as a distraction from current maintenance failures.
“Can the Chief Engineer of @NHAIROBengaluru please care to inspect their shoddy work?” she wrote, specifically demanding a site visit to address the “crooked medians” and “incomplete shoulders” that she claims remain ignored.
The public spat has once again brought to light the long-standing infrastructure woes of Bengaluru’s Silicon Forest, where rapid industrial expansion continues to outpace the maintenance of essential transit routes.