Bengaluru CEO fixes broken footpath for ₹2,700 after lack of action from BBMP; sparks debate on ‘DIY governance’
Bengaluru CEO’s post quickly struck a nerve on social media, sparking a fierce debate among taxpayers over the normalisation of “DIY governance” and the persistent breakdown of civic accountability.
A Bengaluru entrepreneur stepped in to fix a broken footpath outside his society when formal complaints and formalities failed with the civic authorities. Siddharth Dialani, an IIT alumnus and startup CEO, privately funded the repair of the damaged pavement and posted the before-and-after pictures on X. Dialani highlighted the administrative delays, stating, "The footpath near my society at Koramangala has been broken for years!
I complained to BBMP, sent an email to GBA, raised a ticket and chatted with their WA helpline, but got no response." The low-cost intervention, costing Rs. 2700 for labor and materials, immediately benefited residents by making the footpath usable for everyone. Dialani's action sparked a social media debate on "DIY governance," with some praising his proactive spirit and others expressing concern that citizens have to fund public infrastructure despite paying taxes.
The post also raised questions about civic accountability and the potential legal risks of citizens modifying public property without municipal approval.
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