Power of the hashtag ensures craters are filled, ensures a smooth ride

Frustrated with those craters on the road every time you set out to ride? Start doing ‘pothole pooje’ and your prayers for smooth roads are likely to be answered by the BBMP. That is what residents of HSR Layout found.

They launched their ‘pothole pooje’ last Saturday, and performed a ‘pooja’ to a ‘pothole’ on 11th cross of Sector 1. Their prayer was that it should not harm or kill motorists or pedestrians.

Within hours, pictures of the pooja spread online and embarrassed officials of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), prompting them to rush to the spot to redo the whole road.

Inspired by the power of ‘pooja,’ residents were planning another ‘#potholepooje’ in the area on their Whatsapp group, which also has BBMP officials on it.

“We were discussing on the group on Monday, planning a #potholepooje for a crater on 24th Main this coming Saturday. But to our surprise, BBMP officials on the group got the message and the stretch was partially redone the very next day,” said Kavita Reddy, of HSR Layout RWA, who is among those spearheading the programme.

Another instance of the power of ‘prayer’ was seen on Monday, when a woman who was dropping off her child at school lost control of her scooter while trying to negotiate a pothole. Luckily, she escaped with minor injuries, but residents quickly planned a ‘pooje’ at the spot on the WhatsApp group. BBMP officials quietly repaired the stretch.

BBMP officials in charge of the area said that the #potholepooje had led to a reprimand from the top brass in the civic body, pushing them into action.

As for the residents, after learning how seeking ‘divine help’ could push the BBMP into action, they have decided to intensify their ‘prayers’. “We have sent photographs of over 25 potholes on a one kilometre stretch of road that connects HSR Layout and Somasundarapalya. If the road is not fixed, we will adopt the same method,” said Ms. Reddy.