Oops!! Pothole Pains are here again!!!

Not a perfect song for the romantic, nostalgic and beautiful rainy season though, isn’t it? But spare a thought to the travelers on roads filled with potholes which are basically present in every road, nook and corner....

To deal with these, the civic authorities in Mumbai have come up with a novel initiative, an auditor for potholes, those who will be a qualified expert and will oversee contractors so that bumpy drives can be minimized. Although you never know where there is a chuckle hole made especially for you and waiting for you to take a plunge into it!

Some stars shared their views on their encounters with such "craters" on the roads! So fasten your seat belts, friends as we are all set to take a bumpy ride as rains pour on us!!

Sid Makkar:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: There was a big pothole and my car got stuck in it. You won’t believe that we literally got down the car, pushed it and when the car finally came out, it was also damaged.

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: Oh really!!! Wow I did not know this!!

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: I think potholes are creating nuisance, so let’s chuck driving and lets all go walking or going on the bicycle, as there is no sense in driving. For the potholes let’s do one thing, there is very less greenery left in this world so let’s plant trees. I also want to say that when VIPs come to Mumbai, within 24 hours the BMC covers all the potholes. So I guess that let’s call as many VIP’s as we can and ask them to travel all over the city (laughs).

Priya Badlani:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: Oh, there are quite a few experiences I have had when it comes to potholes, but they haven’t really been traumatic experiences as such. I am a very careful driver and I know how the Indian roads are. Many of my friends have had bad experiences though and I have heard a lot from them.

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: Well, this is India right. Anything is possible, but this does not mean I don’t love my country. I honestly love her but if anything, I would blame the government for the sorry state of the roads in our country today.

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: Usage? Well driving on the roads during the rains is like a free ride in an amusement park. You know, children and adults love to go to amusement parks where they ride in the cars that keep bumping into one another. We have something better here in the roads of Mumbai and the best part is that it’s a free ride. You are going to get bumped and go straight to heaven.

Gaurav Khanna:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: I had one of the worst experiences in 2003-04. I and my friend were going to college on the bike. I was driving the bike so I was wearing a helmet but my friend was not. Suddenly there was a pothole in between and it took us inside out and my friend’s head hit on my helmet. My bike was almost damaged.

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: Yaa , I know. You won’t believe that I was very possessive about my bike and it was also my first bike that I got from my home town. I got the entire bike modified from the mechanic and had to travel via bus and rickshaws. I will share something with you that I treat my vehicle (my car) as a member of my family. Every time I bump my car in a pothole, I say a sorry.

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: I just wish that potholes are seen in the desert where there is no water..

Shweta Khwatra:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: All my experiences have been one worse than the other. In fact, I have a road full of potholes right in front of my house. And in Mumbai, how can you have just one bad experience?

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: Yeah I did have idea of this!! It is an issue but frankly, who has the time to fight it. Moreover, I think by now, we Indians have learnt to live with the discrepancies of our country, you know the corruption and stuff.

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: That’s a very interesting question? Well, if they are on the side of the roads, I think I would plant some trees in them. Rather, that would take too much of an effort, so I would just put some potted plants in the holes.

Rahil Azam:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: I haven’t come across any. I do drive but I drive safe and I must say that I am a very intelligent driver as I have good judgment. There are many potholes in life in front of which this is nothing.

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: No, I did not know… Is it so?

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: Ok that is a very weird question? I don’t think I could ever suggest a usage of potholes as they are a real menace to society. In fact, if it was in my capacity I would cover up each and every pothole as they cause so much of trouble to people, especially pregnant women traveling on the roads by rickshaws and cars.

Rajshri Thakur:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: It was quite a recent experience. Just the other day when my husband was parking the car, there was a pothole on the road and the tire slipped into it. And, it was rather difficult to get the car out.

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: Oh really? I think BMC should be held responsible for that, as it is their job to get rid of potholes.

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: Well, I don’t think there is any other usage of potholes. They are the biggest obstacles on the road and how can you put them to any other use?

Vivan Bhatena:Worst experience you had with a Pothole of Mumbai during rains: Well, my experience was not with a pothole but a manhole. During the floods in Mumbai, I almost drove my car straight into a manhole that was uncovered. Fortunately, someone warned me and I escaped falling into the manhole.

If your car is damaged because you hit a pothole, you might not even be able to claim insurance, your reaction to this: Yeah I knew that, but there’s nothing you can do about it. I mean when Sonia Gandhi came to Mumbai, the potholes were fixed within a day, it’s ridiculous.

If you could suggest some usage of a pothole, what would it be: I guess we could fill it up with the BMC employees (laughs). Actually what we should do is take all their money from their bank accounts and fill up the potholes. Anyways, they charge us money for no rhyme or reason.


Concept: Nishtha
Reporter: Melanie, Binita Ramchandani
Author: Nishtha, Melanie
Banner: Shagun