Volunteers take on rough roads

Every year thousands of people lose their lives on the road because of potholes. Rather than complaining and waiting for the civic body to repair them, 29-year-old Karthik Pallam, a techie from Sircilla town, decided to take matters into his own hands. In 2017, he filled his first pothole in Hi-Tec City with a meagre Rs 2,000, from his own pocket. Soon after, We Can Make a Change (WCMAC) was born.
Two years later, the NGO has 200 volunteers, mostly software engineers, who have fixed over 300 potholes across Hyderabad in areas such as Begumpet, Hi-Tec City, Panjagutta and Ameerpet among others.The Rs 2 lakh spent on the job has entirely been from their savings.
“When I was in Bengaluru previously, I had noticed that a pothole remained unattended for 45 days despite complaints. I later found that more people die owing to potholes than in terrorist attacks. So, I decided to fill potholes and thought it would be great achievement even if I could save one life,” Pallam told TOI.
Another volunteer from the group, Sudeepth Katkam, chipped in: “While travelling to office I once saw a bike skid on a pothole and fall right next to me. A motorist who veered to prevent hitting this bike fell too. And all because of a pothole. So, the next weekend we fixed the pothole.”
Along with fixing potholes, the NGO has now simultaneously started repairing government schools, including Anganwadis, in remote areas. They have repaired six school so far. Among them is Andhra Vidyalaya in Chikkadpally. TOI spoke to its principal B R Vidya Sagar, who said, “We get a meagre allowance, which is only enough to pay bills. We are happy with what WCMAC did. After the repairs, our attendance has increased and many dropouts too have returned to school.”
Volunteers said that the job is extremely gratifying. “After the repairs the children hug you and thank you…there is no greater reward than that,” said Chakradhar Ayachitula.