Taking lessons from last year's pothole-related mishaps, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seems to be going all out against craters that keep reappearing on the city’s roads. While the civic body has identified close to 6,800 potholes, it wants citizens to help identify more such craters in various stretches.
Taking to social media, the civic body is re-advertising its pothole-specific control room and WhatsApp numbers, asking people to provide information about their location. And the promise is: ‘Report a pothole, get it fixed immediately’.
While many have appreciated the BBMP for giving attention to potholes ahead of the rains, others have called it a 'joke'.
The responses generated by an advertisement, carrying a photograph of Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, include: ‘I doubt you have the required manpower to deal with the sheer number of phone calls reporting potholes around the city’; ‘There are potholes everywhere in Bangalore, just choose an area one day and start FINISHING the work ....’.
Residents pointed out that they get no response when they lodge complaints with the control room or use BBMP apps, such as Sahaaya and Fix My Street. The Fix My street app was launched towards the end of last year to address civic issues, including potholes, but users say it does not fulfil its promise.
Civic officials have promised to attend to all complaints. “The control room is working round-the-clock. We have a dedicated team to look at feedback from social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. People can also use the Sahaaya App to report potholes in their area,” said Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner, BBMP.
The civic body said it has already attended to most of the potholes it had identified a few of days ago. Officials have submitted a report to the chief minister on the status of potholes.
“We have already filled around 3,600 potholes and will finish the remaining ones in the coming days. But, we also want citizens to inform us about potholes, bad stretches and craters, so that we don't miss any,” said Mr. Rao.