This Article is From Jan 07, 2016

My Monday Morning Hero - A Traffic Policeman Filling Potholes

I was smiling on the way to work on a Monday. That too while travelling through Bengaluru's notorious traffic. That is not something that happens to people very often - but I did feel quite cheery, while travelling through Jayanagar in the south of the city.

Thanks to DM Chikkeeraiah.

I was approaching the beautiful garden road, lined by trees, the car bouncing along as usual on the less than perfect city roads. Then I saw a traffic policeman in uniform, but he was not directing traffic.  Instead, he was pouring pan-loads of gravel and sand into a large pothole that had been slowing down traffic for days.

I got out to speak to him - and asked him if he had been instructed to do this. The head constable, attached to the Jayanagar traffic police station, said, "Nobody asked me to - this has been like this for at least 15 days and I couldn't take it any longer!"

He said he had requisitioned the help of labourers working in a nearby park and had asked them to help him with loads of construction debris left over from road work.

Bengaluru's thousands of potholes further worsen the traffic situation in the city. Promises have been made time and again that they will all be cleared. Mr Chikkeeraiah's solution may be a short-term fix - but in a country where most of us are ready to complain and blame someone else for problems - it was refreshing to see him step in and do something. Without once using that usual excuse: 'This is not my job.'

When I appreciated his attitude he said, "I am always at the service of the public."

Thank you, Mr Chikkeraiah - may your tribe increase!

(Maya Sharma is NDTV's Resident Editor in Bengaluru)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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