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Highlights
Gangadhara Tilak Katnam, an engineer who retired nearly a decade ago, has made filling potholes his mission since 2010.
He has filled 1,302 potholes across Hyderabad so far. He selects roads where one least expects a pothole
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Hyderabad :
As people celebrated the festival of lights, Gangadhara Tilak Katnam stopped his ‘Pothole Ambulance’ at Tippu Bridge between Langar Houz and Police Academy junction and filled a pothole.
Tilak, an engineer who retired from South Central Railway (SCR) nearly a decade ago, has made filling potholes his mission since 2010, filled 1,302 potholes across the city so far.
“I celebrated Diwali by filling a pothole,” said Gangadhara Tilak, who not only devotes his time but also spends a chunk of his pension to ensure safer roads. His family, volunteers of ‘Shramadaan’, a voluntary organization he set up, and passersby often help him.
“Initially I used to pick up gravel from the roadside when anew road was being laid. Subsequently, I was not able to find any. I then requested contractors to at least sell me some gravel,” he told TOI on Friday.
He selects roads where one least expects a pothole. “Such potholes are dangerous. When the ride is smooth and suddenly one comes across a pothole, it becomes difficult and can result in deaths,” he said.
When he noticed such accidents, he tried to get the police to mention the road condition as the cause of the mishap in FIRs but was dismissed. He feels that when the reason is on the record, cops can immediately ask civic officials to repair the road or fill the pothole.
It can also make officials or contractors accountable “What I fail to understand is why don’t engineers make note of the damages to roads in their jurisdiction and carry out the necessary works needed immediately?” Gangadhara Tilak asked.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hyderabad News / by Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / October 21st, 2017