- Mr. Katnam is a retired civil servant from Hyderabad, India.
- His obsession with fixing potholes began in January 2010.
- As he drove to work one morning, he encountered a pothole filled with muddy water. The splash from his car wheel hit some children walking to school, leaving him feeling terrible.
- Most people might have forgotten about it, but not Mr. Katnam.
- He hired two laborers, purchased six truckloads of road-fixing material, and filled that pothole.
- Over the next two days, he went around the city fixing more than 60 potholes.
- Along with his wife, Venkateshwari Katnam, Mr. Katnam set out in what they call their “Pothole Ambulance.”
- They use their pension funds to fill potholes wherever they find them.
- Their mission: to save lives and prevent accidents caused by these road hazards.
- Each day in Hyderabad, several people are killed or injured due to avoidable road accidents.
- Potholes cause not only visible injuries but also invisible ones like leg and back pain.
- Mr. Katnam, a retired engineer with the Indian Railways, decided to take matters into his own hands.
- Armed with orange gloves, broomsticks, shovels, and determination, Mr. Katnam works tirelessly.
- He puts out red flags to cordon off areas with potholes and repairs them.
- His actions have saved lives and prevented countless accidents.
- Mr. Katnam’s selfless dedication has made him a local hero.
- He exemplifies how one person’s commitment can transform a community.
- His story reminds us that small acts of kindness and responsibility can create significant positive change.
Next time you see a pothole, think of Gangadhara Tilak Katnam - the Road Doctor - who heals roads and saves lives.
