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Bihar is ready to shift gears in road upkeep with a “pothole prize” that a minister has touted as a first in the country, reports Kshitiz. The Nitish Kumar-led govt is set to roll out “Gadha Batao, Rs 5,000 Pao (spot a pothole, get Rs 5,000)”, a reward-based road maintenance scheme from Feb 15. Under the policy, residents can report potholes via a dedicated helpline and earn the reward for valid complaints. The plan also includes “road ambulances” for rapid repairs and strict accountability measures for contractors and engineers if the job isn’t completed within 72 hours. “The initiative is designed to encourage public participation and strengthen monitoring of road conditions. Such a reward-based policy is being introduced by a state for the first time in the country,” road construction minister Dilip Jaiswal said on Sunday.
