‘Even God can't change’ Bengaluru: Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar

New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said Bengaluru's growing traffic and infrastructural problems could not be solved overnight, adding controversially that ‘Even God can't do that’, NDTV reported.

Many on social media slammed DK Shivakumar’s statement calling out delays in executing infrastructural projects amid continuing traffic problems.

‘Bengaluru can't be changed in two or three years. Even God can't do that. It can be changed only when proper planning is done and executed well,’ Shivakumar was quoted as saying.

Shivakumar made the remarks while inaugurating a workshop on road construction.

His remarks came as the city’s residents and urban planners raised concerns over worsening traffic issues, delay in carrying out metro expansion and lack of public transport.

Critics pointed to the ‘slow and inconsistent’ execution of infrastructure projects with Economist and Aarin Capital chairman Mohandas Pai questioning the government saying that ‘our lives have become much worse!’

‘Minister DK Shivakumar, it has been two years since you became our Minister! We applauded and welcomed you as a strong Minister. But our lives have become much worse!’ Pai said in a post on social media.

Pai pointed out many ills including incomplete infrastructural projects, inadequate public transport and broken footpaths, and urged the government to purchase 5,000 new electric buses and carry out work of metro expansion.

The opposition BJP accused Siddaramaiah administration of incompetency with BJP leader Mohan Krishna saying ‘It is very unfortunate that the person who said he would make 'Brand Bengaluru' has said even God cannot fix this. Then who can?’

Mohan Krishna added that ‘God has given an opportunity to a person or a party to serve the people. It is unfortunate that this government has indulged in many activities other than development’.