Gridlocked roads and dire water shortages have become major issues in Bengaluru. Kkavya, who hails from Kashmir, says she moved to the city to pursue a dream job opportunity. Now, she wants to run away "as soon as possible."

Bengaluru

How the 'Bengaluru Dream' Turned into a Nightmare

Bengaluru, often referred to as India's Silicon Valley, is facing critical urban challenges that impact its residents' quality of life. Among these, gridlocked roads and dire water shortages stand out as major issues. Kavya, a 19-year-old from Kashmir, moved to the city with aspirations of pursuing a degree in English literature and securing a job at a tech firm, attracted by the promise of abundant job opportunities and an appealing lifestyle.

Three years after her move, Kavya's initial excitement has waned as she confronts the city's realities. Despite Bengaluru's rapid growth and its reputation as a tech hub, the infrastructure has significantly lagged, unable to accommodate the swelling population adequately. Kavya's daily commute has become a source of frustration, with traffic congestion extending her travel time to five or six hours on a regular basis.

Bengaluru's transformation began in the 1990s, drawing millions of workers and establishing the regional headquarters of leading global IT companies. However, this rapid urbanization has also strained the city's resources and livability. Kavya expresses disappointment with the local political response to these issues, feeling that the concerns of residents like her are overlooked.

Water scarcity is another pressing concern for Kavya and fellow Bengalureans. The failure of the southwest monsoon rains to adequately replenish groundwater levels has led to severe shortages, forcing residents to ration their water usage and contend with surging prices. Kavya reports a dramatic increase in her water expenses, which have escalated from about $8 to more than $27 per month. The desperate situation has even led to conflicts between neighboring buildings over access to limited water supplies.

These challenges have transformed Kavya's dream into a nightmare, one that she hopes to escape from "as soon as possible." The dream of a better life in Bengaluru, once sold to her and many others, now faces the harsh reality of urban shortcomings and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.



How the 'Bengaluru dream' turned into a nightmare

Nineteen-year-old Kavya landed in Bengaluru with dreams of getting a degree in English literature and an exciting job at a tech firm. During a job interview, Kavya, who hails from Kashmir, was told she would have amazing job opportunities in India's Silicon Valley. She was sold the Bengaluru dream. It was promised to me when I came here to work. They were like, listen, the weather is going to be amazing. You're going to get paid. Come work for us for seven hours. Go home, take a beer, chill, sleep. After three years in the city, the dream is falling apart and fast. One problem is the traffic. Do you see the horn? Did you hear it? This is my nightmare. As it was transformed into India's tech hub, the city has struggled to keep up with the massive population influx. Kavya now spends up to five or six hours on her daily commutes. In the 1990s, Bengaluru rapidly became India's answer to Silicon Valley. It attracted millions of workers and the regional headquarters of some of the world's biggest I.T. companies. But unrestrained urban expansion has affected Bengaluru's character as a livable city. With the city voting in the second phase of India's national election on Friday, Kavya said she felt frustrated to see that these issues are rarely addressed by local politicians and candidates. We are that sad now. We don't even think that this is something politicians can fix, because they never talk about it. Traffic is our problem. Roads are our problem. Hospital is your problem. So, when I tell my boss that I can't reach on time, it's my problem, not the people who made the roads, not the people who are responsible for the traffic. And she struggles every morning to get water for her daily use. Weeks' southwest monsoon rains last year failed to replenish depleted groundwater, causing shortages. This forced residents to ration water use and pay a much higher price. Water rates at her apartment have gone up by almost four times, from about $8 a month to more than $27. Recently, water is as expensive as it gets. It is like something we fight for, because I remember two days back, this building and the next building had a war over one tank, because there was only one tank available and we both wanted it. So, basically, they paid more and they got it.

Millions of people have cast their ballots in India’s third of a seven-phase general election. It took place in eleven states and union territories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a third term, cast his vote in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat

Millions vote in third phase of India's national elections

Ukraine says it thwarted a Russian plot to assassinate senior Ukrainian political and military figures, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. Two Ukrainian security officials were arrested for their links to Russia's Federal Security Service, which had aimed to carry out high-profile killings ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine says it foiled Russian attempt to assassinate Zelenskyy

A spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party has deflected blame for an altercation between a Chinese military jet and an Australian Seahawk Helicopter in waters off South Korea, claiming the helicopter was flying 'too close' to Chinese territorial waters.

Beijing

China blames Australia for mid-air military incident

President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a new six-year term on Tuesday (May 7) at a Kremlin ceremony, boycotted by the U.S. and other Western countries, at which he said he was potentially open to nuclear talks with the West.

Moscow

Putin starts new six-year term with challenge to West

The Israeli military said it had taken operational control of the Palestinian side of Gaza's southern Rafah Crossing, which borders Egypt, and that special forces were scanning the area.

Rafah

Israel-Gaza War

Israel claims control of Rafah crossing

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to hold nuclear weapons drills involving the navy and troops based near Ukraine, the defence ministry said Monday.

Putin orders nuclear drills near Ukraine

Australian and Chinese relations are strained following an incident involving military forces from both countries. During a routine operation in the Yellow Sea, within international waters, an Australian helicopter faced an aggressive manoeuver by a Chinese military jet.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia hits out at China over helicopter incident

Interest rates will remain unchanged after the Reserve Bank of Australia decided to keep the cash rate at 4.35%, a figure that has held steady since November. It comes amidst the ongoing struggle with rising costs of living pressures.

RBA keeps interest rates on hold

Israel has launched new airstrikes in Rafah, warning 100,000 people there to flee to a designated safe area ahead of an expected ground operation. The strikes came after Hamas agreed to a mediated ceasefire proposal but Israel did not.

Hamas accepts mediated ceasefire deal; Israel doesn't

The bodies of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson have been formally identified after their grieving family arrived in Mexico. Authorities have arrested four people in connection with the alleged murders.

Baja California

Grieving family arrives in Mexico to identify brothers' remains

The Defence Minister has condemned the conduct of a Chinese fighter jet, which launched flares near an Australian Seahawk helicopter. The incident occurred over international waters in the Yellow Sea off the coast of South Korea.

Seoul

Chinese fighter jet detonates flares near Australian helicopter

Israel's military has carried out airstrikes in Rafah, residents said, hours after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate parts of the southern Gaza city where more than a million people uprooted by the war have been sheltering.

Jerusalem

Israel strikes Rafah after evacuation order, residents say

Chinese President Xi Jinping awoke in Paris on Monday on his first visit to the region in five years, with trade and Russia's war with Ukraine on the agenda in talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Paris

China's Xi Jinping pays state visit to France

Israel has ordered civilians in Rafah to move towards Khan Younis, in the clearest sign yet that a military operation is imminent. A ceasefire in Gaza looks as distant as ever with Hamas refusing to lay down arms unless there is a complete cessation of the war. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would go it alone if necessary, even in the face of criticism from its Western allies.

Israeli army orders Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah

The bodies Australian brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson have been identified by authorities in Baja California, Mexico. It comes as their grieving parents arrive in the country.

Brothers identified as victims of Mexico robbery

Qantas has been ordered to compensate passengers following revelations that it sold tickets on thousands of flights that had already been cancelled. The airline has agreed to pay a $100 million fine and $20 million in compensation to affected passengers.

Mascot

Qantas ordered to pay compensation over 'ghost flight' scandal

A former detective is facing allegations of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman whose case he was initially assigned to investigate. Accused of exploiting his authority, Glenn Coleman, 55, has been charged with 10 offences,

Penrith

Police officer accused of assaulting rape victim

The death toll from heavy rains that have caused flooding in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78, local authorities said, with more than 115,000 people displaced.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Climate Crisis

Death toll rises in record-breaking Brazil floods

China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in France for a rare visit with President Emmanuel Macron. They are set to discuss trade, amid growing tension between Europe and China over an imbalance between China's exports and European imports.

China's Xi Jinping visits Europe amid global tensions

While several pro-Palestinian campus protests in the U.S. were dismantled over the weekend, others became more disruptive and interrupted at least one graduation ceremony.

Chicago

Protests disrupt graduation ceremonies at U.S. universities

Prospects for a Gaza ceasefire appeared slim as Hamas reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruled that out.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Gaza truce hopes fade as Israel, Hamas trade blame

The Israeli cabinet has voted to unanimously shut down Al Jazeera's operations in the country. That's according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement on X. 
It is not clear when this decision will take effect.

Israel announces ban of Al Jazeera channel, website

Australian police said they have shot dead a boy after he stabbed a man in Western Australia's capital Perth, in an attack authorities said indicated terrorism.

Perth

Australian police shoot boy dead after stabbing

Sadiq Khan has been elected mayor of London, winning a historic third term after a dramatic contest. Khan was declared the winner over the Conservative candidate, Susan Hall with 43.8% of the vote.

London

Sadiq Khan elected London mayor for third term

Floods have killed at least 58 people in southern Brazil. Nearly 70,000 have been forced from their homes. Tens of thousands of people have been left without drinking water or electricity. It's the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 80 years.

'It's going to get worse': Brazil braces for flood peaks

Students at the University of California in Irvine say they will remain on campus until all their demands are met. School officials say they'll continue to negotiate with the protesters -- and are hoping to reach a deal soon.

Irvine

Police, protesters in stand-off at California university

The Federal Government will cut $3 billion in student debts, in measures to be announced in next week's budget. The reforms will see the student loans of three million graduates by an average of $1200 and changes to loan indexation.

Camperdown

Labor to wipe $3 billion of student debts

Mexican authorities have charged three suspects over the disappearance of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad. It's believed the tourists became embroiled in a bungled robbery. Four bodies were found near the trio's abandoned campsite, but are yet to be formally identified.

Mexican authorities lay charges over Australian brothers' disappearance

A knife-wielding teenage boy has been shot dead by police in Bunnings carpark in Willetton, Perth. The 16-year-old boy had phoned Triple Zero saying he planned ‘acts of violence’ and stabbed a male member of the public. The WA Police Commissioner says the teenager had ‘mental health and radicalisation issues’.

Willetton

Police shoot dead ‘radicalised’ teenage boy in Perth

The death toll from rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul rose to 57, local authorities said on Saturday (May 4) afternoon, while dozens still have not been accounted for.