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A Bengaluru-based techie reportedly took out a loan to repair potholes in his neighborhood after becoming frustrated with the government’s indifference to the problem. Arif Mudgal, 32, reportedly asked for a loan of Rs 2.7 lakh to support the pothole-fixing campaign. He saw two incidents on Hosa Road, which he thought to be quite upsetting.
This is what shook Arif to take loan of Rs 2.7 Lakh
“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.
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Citizens Group
The ‘Citizens Group, East Bengaluru,’ a group of like-minded people who were founded five years ago. They had previously been successful in raising money to fix certain potholes. Mudgal, however, was forced to borrow the loan for the most recent project due to financial difficulties.
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Here was the problem
Another group member, Mithilesh Kumar, disclosed that despite several attempts to contact local politicians, their requests for better roads, drains, and other civic improvements remained unanswered. A campaign to boycott property taxes was started by the group on social networking site X (formerly Twitter) using the slogan #NoDevelopmentNoTax because they felt ignored.
Although the campaign has gotten positive feedback, Mudgal pointed out that some internet users suggested paying taxes and then pressing the government for improved public amenities. The ‘NoDevelopmentNoTax’ movement highlights the mounting resentment of locals who feel their opinions are not being heard and emphasizes the effectiveness of group action in promoting change.
