Hidden Pothole Leaves Bengaluru Woman with Crushed Ankle

New Delhi, September 06, 2026 Bengaluru's persistent pothole problem has once again raised serious concerns after a routine ride to work turned into a painful and expensive ordeal for a private-sector employee. Aishani Khanna suffered a crushed ankle in a scooter accident on Varthur Road, leading to emergency plastic surgery, five days of hospitalisation and medical expenses of nearly Rs 2 lakh. The accident occurred last month near Nexus Mall on the Whitefield-Varthur Road. Khanna had taken the Varthur route because she needed to complete an errand before heading to her office. Familiar with the poor condition of the road, she was riding cautiously. However, heavy rain and a hidden pothole changed the course of her journey. Sharing her experience on X, she urged authorities to improve road safety. "A hidden pothole on Varthur Road cost me a crushed ankle, emergency plastic surgery, 5 days in hospital, and Rs 1.97L. This could happen to ANY of us tomorrow. Fix the roads now," her post read. Describing the moment of the accident, Khanna said, "It was about noon and raining pretty hard. I was on my two-wheeler and didn't see a pothole. I was up in the air for two or three seconds. I fell, and the scooter fell on me. I suffered seven or eight deep cuts or abrasions on my left ankle, which only plastic surgeons would look into," she says. The injuries required specialised medical treatment, and she remained in hospital for five days. Her medical expenses reached Rs 1.97 lakh, while the possibility of another surgery remains depending on how her injuries heal. The incident has also taken an emotional and financial toll on Khanna. "It's not just the physical trauma that I went through. It was a lot of mental trauma and financial burden because it was very uncalled for," she says. A Bengaluru resident for three decades, Khanna said she has witnessed the city's civic infrastructure deteriorate over the years. Calling the situation a "sad state of affairs", she expressed frustration over the condition of the roads. "There is absolutely no road, just potholes," says a dejected Khanna, appealing to the government to ensure better roads. Her experience reflects a larger civic concern that has repeatedly drawn criticism towards Bengaluru's authorities. Despite the city's global reputation as India's Silicon Valley, damaged roads and traffic-related issues continue to frustrate residents. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has assured citizens on several occasions that potholes are being filled, but accidents like Khanna's highlight the potentially severe consequences of unsafe roads and reinforce the demand for lasting improvements in the city's civic infrastructure.