What the Bihar Government Is Planning for Potholes
According to multiple credible news reports, the Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is preparing to launch a new road maintenance initiative called “गड्ढा बताओ, इनाम पाओ” (Spot a pothole, get a reward). This policy is part of a broader effort to improve road conditions across the state and is expected to come into effect around 15 February 2026 as per social media source, yet no official statement released.Under this plan:
- Citizens can report potholes on public roads by submitting photographs or videos with location tags.
- If the report is verified by authorities, the person will receive a ₹5,000 reward. This is meant to encourage civic participation in identifying dangerous or deteriorating sections of road.
- The government has also talked about deploying so-called “road ambulances” — dedicated teams that will repair verified potholes within 72 hours of a successful report.
So, Is the Claim True?
Yes — but with important context.The policy as widely reported does intend to reward verified pothole reports with ₹5,000, but:
✅ It is a proposed or soon-to-be-implemented policy, not something that already exists in full force today.
✅ The reward only applies after official verification of the report — you won’t automatically receive ₹5,000 for any photo you send in.
✅ The scheme is part of a larger road maintenance strategy and includes time-bound repairs, not just cash payouts.
What the Rumours Get Wrong
Some social media posts make it sound like the cash reward is guaranteed for any pothole reported — even without verification or official government processing. That is not accurate based on current reports from mainstream news sources.Also, there is no indication yet that citizens can simply walk up to a government office and demand ₹5,000 immediately after submitting a photo. The procedure appears to involve verification and follow-up by road maintenance departments.
Why This Matters
Bad road conditions have long been a public issue in many parts of India, and particularly in Bihar, where seasonal rains and heavy traffic can quickly worsen potholes. By tying citizen reporting to official action and rewards, the government aims to:- Make it easier to identify dangerous road spots,
- Speed up repairs with accountability, and
- Reduce accidents and vehicle damage.