Social worker protests potholes by sitting on damaged road in Karimnagar

Social worker Kota Shyam Kumar staged a protest at Rekurthy chowk by sitting on a damaged Karimnagar–Jagtial road wearing a helmet. He criticised officials for collecting fines while ignoring road repairs, which he said were damaging vehicles and affecting public health

Karimnagar: Social worker Kota Shyam Kumar on Wednesday staged a unique protest by sitting on a damaged stretch of the Karimnagar–Jagtial road at Rekurthy chowk, highlighting officials’ negligence in repairing roads in the town.

Wearing a helmet, Shyam Kumar sat on the battered road to draw attention to the plight of commuters. He said people were paying vehicle tax, road tax and several other levies to the government, while also being fined for violations such as not wearing helmets or seat belts.

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He alleged that while officials were quick to collect fines, they showed little interest in repairing damaged roads. Apart from damaging vehicles, the bumpy roads were also exposing people to health problems, he said, questioning how much fine the Collector and Commissioner of Police would pay citizens for failing to fix the roads.