Karnataka Deputy CM Claims "People Don't Marry Men Without Cars" in Bengaluru Traffic Debate

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently sparked controversy with his remarks defending Bengaluru's tunnel road project, stating that "people don't marry daughters to men who don't own cars." This comment elicited a pointed response from BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who had previously met with Shivakumar to discuss alternatives to the tunnel road proposal.

During their meeting in Bengaluru, Surya presented suggestions to alleviate the city's notorious traffic congestion by scrapping the tunnel project in favor of expanding mass transportation options. However, Shivakumar defended the necessity of the project, citing social factors that influence car ownership.

Shivakumar argued that restricting personal vehicle usage was impractical, saying: "It's a matter of social responsibility. People prefer to travel in their own vehicles with their families. Can we prevent them from using their cars? Today, people even hesitate to marry their daughter to a boy who doesn't own a car."

Responding to these comments, Surya took to social media with a sarcastic remark: "For all these days, I was under the wrong impression that the tunnel project was aimed at solving Bengaluru traffic problem. Now, DCM has clarified that it is intended to solve a social problem - of people not wanting to marry a man without car. How stupid I was!"

The Bengaluru South MP elaborated that during his meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister, he had presented an alternative vision focused on prioritizing public transport. Surya claimed that his proposals to expand the Metro network to 300 km with 3-minute frequency and strengthen BMTC services with additional private feeder buses for neighborhood connectivity were rejected by Shivakumar.

Bengaluru's traffic congestion has become infamous, frequently featuring in social media discussions and memes. While Shivakumar maintains that the tunnel road project represents a long-term solution to the IT hub's mobility challenges, Surya contends that the plan would damage the environment and fails to provide a sustainable answer to the city's transportation problems.

Following their meeting, Shivakumar acknowledged receiving Surya's presentation, stating: "He had some suggestions and a PPT; I have asked officers to look into it." Nevertheless, he expressed skepticism about how introducing more buses would address the already severe traffic situation in the city.