"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
5 Nov 2019
Potholes are a big hassle for commuters as they slow down driving and also lead to traffic jams. Potholes as big and deep as craters have even taken lives of commuters and pose a big risk while commuting on bikes leading to accidents some of which are fatal.
Ludhiana’s traffic constable Gurbaksh Singh was witness to an accident which made him make up his mind to fill potholes for the safety of commuters.
Gurbaksh Singh collects mud, bricks, and interlocking tiles from different parts of the city and carries it in his car trunk to the roads that are riddled with potholes in Bhatinda, Punjab. He single-handedly fixes them and sometimes fellow constables also lend a hand to his noble efforts. He not only fixes the potholes but also clears glass shards if he notices them strewn on the road. So far, he has filled potholes on Bhagu Road, Liberty Chowk, Dana Mandi and the highway leading to his village, Buladhewala.
Gurbaksh Singh said that he started this mission of fixing potholes when he saw an accident where the biker and pillion rider fell on account of a pothole. They narrowly missed being run over by another vehicle on that road. This incident shook him and he embarked on this mission of filling potholes in addition to his duty as a traffic constable.
He has been appreciated for his efforts not only by the state police but also by commuters who are grateful to him for making their ride safe. One commuter even exclaimed that he is doing a double job on a single person’s salary. However, all that Gurbaksh wishes is the safety of commuters and so he is doing his bit for the society.