In the urban landscape, potholes are more than just road imperfections; they are a litmus test for civic engagement and urban management. At Reap Benefit, we are transforming this challenge into an opportunity for youth empowerment. With a vision to harness the energy of the young population towards solving local civic and environmental issues, along with our Solve Ninjas, we hope to set a new standard for participatory problem-solving.
The essence of addressing civic issues lies in the active participation of the community. Reap Benefit stands at the forefront of this ideology, advocating for a collaborative approach to urban challenges. By involving children and youth, the platform not only seeks solutions but also instil a sense of responsibility and belonging among the younger generation.
How You Can Contribute to Fixing Potholes:
Becoming a part of the solution to the pothole problem in your community is both simple and impactful. By following these detailed steps, you can contribute valuable data that Reap Benefit can use to address the issue more efficiently:
- Begin with a walk around your neighbourhood, paying close attention to the public spaces and roads. This initial reconnaissance is crucial for understanding the scope of the problem in your immediate environment.
- Next, actively look for potholes in these areas. Aim to spot at least 5-6 potholes near your place of residence. While doing so, it’s important to record specific details about each pothole to make the reporting as useful as possible. Here’s a simple format you can follow for documentation:
This documentation process not only helps in reporting the potholes accurately but also aids in tracking the response to these issues over time.
3. Have a detailed investigation into the potholes you have identified i.e. identify if there has been a complaint raised on it before. Survey the neighbours to hear what problems they face due to the potholes and how long it has been there for.
4. Create a visual map of the potholes if you can.
5. Find out how to contact your local authority to report the issue. If you live in a rural area - the panchayat office can provide you the details. If you live in an urban area - find out details from the municipality website.
6. You are ready to report the issue of potholes to your local authority. You can either: physically visit the office or carry out a phone call. Make sure you have all the data from your discovery and investigation handy.
7. Having a script ready can be useful. Once you’ve presented the issue to the authority, make sure you get a clear idea of the next steps they’re going to take and the associated timeline.
8. Congratulations, you’ve made a difference! Don’t forget to share your success by creating a poster, ppt, video or reel don’t forget to tag us.
In an inspiring initiative this January, the citizens of Bangalore were invited to report potholes via the Reap Benefit Chatbot. This call to action led to the annotation of 1100 pothole images by the organisation’s computer vision team. This process marks a critical step in training an AI model to recognize and flag potholes autonomously, showcasing a scalable solution to a persistent problem. This AI-driven approach not only speeds up the identification process but also allows for a more systematic response to the potholes reported by citizens, showcasing the power of technology in civic management.
This journey of fixing potholes in Bangalore is a testament to the synergistic power of technology and community engagement.
This article serves as a blueprint and an invitation for everyone to play an active role in their communities, leveraging platforms like Reap Benefit to make a tangible difference.
