Bengaluru used to be 'serene haven': Harsh Goenka sparks discussion
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Social Media: RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka's lament that Bengaluru used to be a "serene haven" and that it was transformed into a traffic-congested metropolis has sparked a strong discussion on social media. When some users agreed that Bengaluru's infrastructure had deteriorated, some said politicians and the builder lobby had played a role in the deterioration. Noting the pictures of Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani, some users said that tech pioneers have a role in the growth of Bengaluru as a developed city.
Sharing a photo of Infosys co-founders Narayana Murthy and Nandan Nilekani, Mr Goenka wrote on X, "Once upon a time, Bengaluru was a serene haven-morning walks in Cubbon Park, leisurely drives in Premier Padmini, and lazy afternoons spent in quaint bookstores."
Once upon a time, Bengaluru was a serene haven—morning walks in Cubbon Park, leisurely drives in Premier Padmini, and lazy afternoons spent in quaint bookstores.
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) March 7, 2025
Then, a few bright IITians got some seed money from their better halves, and now… we spend more time stuck on Outer… pic.twitter.com/HkyDf0NpFD
Then, a few bright IITians got some seed money from their better halves, and now... we spend more time stuck on Outer Ring Road than enjoying the 'Garden City' breeze. Progress, they call it!" he claimed.
"Bangalore is one city that had potential...The last 2 decades literally saw the city grow...Even today, the roads and infrastructure of the old city, i.e., the garden city, are better than those of the "developed" city. Can blame NRN Murthy for throttling innovation in tech...But cant blame him for pathetic infra of Bangalore...The politicians builder lobby are to blame...They encroached lakes did not build roads...Did not build infra...Exploited the city," wrote one user.
"Bengaluru's transformation is a case study in urban evolution. Thank you, IITians and Infosys!" said another.
Defending the city's development, one user said, "We can't have butter on both sides of the bread & eat it conveniently too, Goenka Saheb. I have never seen Bengaluru, not even when it was called Bengalore. The most likely oversight by the town planners of the MCB might have been their decision to permit IT & many other companies to come up either inside the city limits or just adjacent to it. That must be bitting the city dwellers now.