In a story that perfectly captures Bengaluru's ongoing struggle with crumbling infrastructure, a concerned resident's attempt to fix dangerous potholes himself ended in frustration when a water tanker destroyed his repair work just hours later.
Rohit Kumar, a resident of Rainbow Drive layout in Sarjapur, took matters into his own hands after witnessing numerous accidents and vehicle damage caused by massive potholes on his street. Fed up with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) inaction, he spent his own money to hire laborers and fill the craters with construction debris.
The temporary solution brought immediate relief to commuters, with Kumar noting how cars and two-wheelers could finally navigate the stretch safely. However, the victory was short-lived.
In a cruel twist of fate, a water tanker performing its regular route drove over the freshly repaired section, completely undoing all of Kumar's efforts and restoring the road to its previously dangerous state.
"I had to do something because the authorities weren't responding," Kumar told Deccan Herald. "Seeing the repair destroyed so quickly was deeply disappointing. It feels like we're fighting a losing battle against basic infrastructure failures."
A Growing Trend of Citizen Action
Kumar's story isn't isolated. Across Bengaluru, frustrated residents and organizations are increasingly taking road repair into their own hands:
- Whitefield Rising has conducted multiple pothole-filling initiatives
- Several resident welfare associations have pooled resources for repairs
- Individual citizens frequently report using personal funds for temporary fixes
This growing trend highlights the severe gap in municipal maintenance and the desperation of citizens dealing with hazardous road conditions daily.
The Bigger Picture: Bengaluru's Infrastructure Crisis
The incident raises serious questions about:
- The quality and durability of even official road repairs
- The impact of heavy vehicles on residential roads
- The need for more responsive civic authorities
- The safety risks posed by neglected infrastructure
As monsoon season approaches, concerns are mounting about further deterioration of Bengaluru's road network and the increased danger to commuters.
Kumar's experience serves as both an inspiration for citizen activism and a stark reminder of the systemic infrastructure challenges facing India's tech capital. Until municipal authorities address these issues comprehensively, residents may continue to find themselves filling the gaps—both literally and figuratively.
