Activists Hold Surat Commissioner Responsible for Potholes

Surat : In a bold move to protest against the deteriorating condition of roads in Surat, local legal awareness group Kayda Katha has placed posters of Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal on the city’s potholed streets. The posters, featuring Agarwal’s photo and the message “I am responsible for this,” appeared overnight in various parts of Surat, aiming to hold the authorities accountable for the neglected infrastructure.

Residents of Surat woke up to see posters of Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal plastered across the city’s pothole-ridden roads on Friday. The posters, which depict Agarwal’s face alongside the bold statement, “I am responsible for this,” were strategically placed on some of the most heavily damaged streets as part of a protest led by Kayda Katha, a legal awareness group known for its activism.

Sanjay Ezhava, a key member of Kayda Katha, explained the motivation behind the protest. “The condition of the roads in Surat has become unbearable. The potholes are not only a nuisance but also a danger to motorists and pedestrians. We decided to launch this campaign to hold the administration accountable. If the roads are not fixed, the public deserves to know who is responsible,” he said.

This protest follows mounting public frustration over the state of Surat’s roads, which have deteriorated significantly due to heavy monsoon rains. Despite repeated complaints from citizens, many roads remain in poor condition, causing frequent traffic disruptions and accidents.

“By placing the posters, we wanted to send a clear message to the administration that the people are watching, and we will not stay silent while our infrastructure crumbles. The message on the poster—‘I am responsible for this’—is a symbolic reminder of the accountability that comes with the position,” Ezhava added.

While Kayda Katha is known for its legal advocacy, this action represents a shift towards more direct forms of public demonstration. The group has previously filed petitions and complaints regarding various civic issues in Surat, but this campaign is their most public and visual protest to date.

The Municipal Commissioner’s office has yet to release an official statement in response to the posters. However, the move has sparked significant debate on social media, with many residents applauding the group’s efforts to bring attention to the city’s infrastructure problems.

With Surat’s road conditions under increasing scrutiny, the question remains whether this unconventional protest will spur the administration into action or merely add fuel to the ongoing frustrations of the city’s residents.