Frustrated with govt apathy, Bengaluru techie takes a Rs 2.7 lakh loan to fix potholes

Frustrated over the government's apathy over the issue of potholes, a Bengaluru based techie reportedly took out a loan to fix potholes in his area.

According to a report in the Times of India, 32-year-old Arif Mudgal applied for a loan of Rs 2.7 lakh to fund the pothole-fixing initiative after witnessing two accidents on Hosa Road, which he found deeply distressing.

"A woman staying near my apartment sustained injuries when the auto she was travelling in toppled after it hit a pothole on Hosa Road," Mudgal recounted. Another incident involved a delivery agent who collided with a car while trying to evade the same pothole on the night of August 14, resulting in a fractured leg. "I later learnt he is from Mandya and the sole earner of his nine-member family. I was so upset," Mudgal expressed.


Mudgal, the founder of 'Citizens Group, East Bengaluru' group, also initiated the 'NoDevelopmentNoTax' campaign on Sunday, urging residents to boycott paying property tax as a form of protest. This movement comes after members of the group pooled their resources last week to repair potholes along a 6-kilometre stretch in Halanayakanahalli, Muneshwara Layout, and Choodasandra.

Founded five years ago, the 'Citizens Group, East Bengaluru,' composed of like-minded individuals, had previously managed to fund repairs for certain potholes. However, financial constraints led Mudgal to take the loan for the recent initiative.

Mithilesh Kumar, another group member, revealed that despite reaching out to local representatives numerous times, their requests for better roads, drains, and other civic improvements went unanswered. Feeling disregarded, the group opted for a property tax boycott campaign, launched on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) under the hashtag 'NoDevelopmentNoTax.'

While the campaign has received encouraging responses, Mudgal noted that some netizens advised paying taxes and subsequently demanding enhanced civic amenities from the government. The 'NoDevelopmentNoTax' movement showcases the growing frustration of residents who believe that their voices are not being heard, and underscores the power of collective action in advocating for change.