By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: The residents of Aishbagh in the state capital have resorted to an unusual form of protest against the appalling condition of the International Aishbagh Stadium Road. For over a decade, nearly 1.5 lakh people living in the area have been grappling with traffic jams, waterlogging, and frequent accidents caused by the deteriorating road surface. During the monsoon, the stretch often turns into a swamp, making commuting hazardous.
On Monday, hundreds of frustrated residents marked their protest by celebrating the “birthday” of the potholes. They cut a cake, played drums, and organised a community feast to draw attention to the civic neglect. Congress leader Manoj Shukla joined the demonstration and criticised the government for failing to maintain basic infrastructure. He remarked that from lanes to main roads, potholes, flooding, and congestion had become a permanent reality in Bhopal. Despite crores of rupees being spent, the condition of the roads was worsening.
Accusing the ruling BJP of corruption, Shukla alleged that public money was being siphoned off into the pockets of leaders and officials instead of being used for genuine development. Among those present at the symbolic protest were Anas ur Rehman, Deepak Diwan, Faheem Bakhsh, Tariq Ali, Amit Khatri and several other residents.
