Share

Indian man fills 600 potholes across India out of love for son killed in horror crash

Dadarao Bilhore smoothes the road surface, rests his shovel, looks to the sky and prays for his son, one of thousands of Indians killed every year in accidents caused by potholes.

Prakash Bilhore, a promising student, was just 16 when he died in July 2015 in Mumbai, India's hectic financial and Bollywood capital of 20 million people.

Covering up the grief

To help deal with his grief, Prakash's devastated father Dadarao decided he would do something about Mumbai's roads, which like much of India's, are notoriously shoddy.

READ: 'Self-healing' roads? Here's how some engineers are working to curb potholes

Using sand and gravel collected from building sites, Bilhore has filled in almost 600 potholes across India's financial capital in the past three years.

The 48-year-old vegetable vendor does it to pay tribute to his beloved son and in the hope that it will save lives.

"Prakash's sudden death left a huge void in our lives. I do this work to remember and honour him.

"I also don't want anyone else to lose a loved one like we have," Bilhore tells AFP at the modest apartment he shares with his wife, daughter and extended family.

Prakash Bilhore was travelling pillion when the motorbike he was on with his cousin hit a deep pothole, sending them both flying through the air.

Indian man covering potholes

                                                                       Image: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP

Prakash, who wasn't wearing a helmet, suffered fatal brain damage. His cousin, who was wearing a helmet, walked away with minor injuries.

The tragic accident occurred during Mumbai's summer monsoon when heavy rains are blamed for causing crater-like holes on the teeming coastal city's roads.

Potholes are so common that a campaign is under way to have Mumbai featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the city with the most potholes.

Navin Lade, a resident, claims to have recorded more than 27 000 holes on the website, although local officials dispute his findings.

Ten deaths a day

Government statistics show that potholes were responsible for the deaths of 3 597 people across India last year, an average of 10 a day.

Citizens blame government apathy, accusing local authorities of failing to maintain roads properly.

Activists say contractors hired to repave roads do a bad job on purpose so the work will need to be done again the following year.

Indian man covering potholes

                                                                   Image: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP

"The government needs to take responsibility and create better infrastructure," urges Bilhore.

He says he has repaired 585 potholes, many of them alone; others with the help of volunteers who are inspired by his story.

Bilhore has been featured in countless Indian newspaper articles and received several awards, earning him the nickname "pothole dada", an affectionate term in India for a respected male.

"Recognition of our work has given me strength to deal with the pain and wherever I go I feel Prakash is standing with me.

As long as I am alive and can walk I will get rid of all of these potholes," says Bilhore.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE