How to Report a Pothole, Power Cut, or Water Shortage Online
Potholes, power cuts, and water shortages are the three most-filed civic feedback in India, according to data from the National Consumer Helpline. Here is exactly how to report each one effectively.
Reporting a Pothole
Potholes fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD) for state roads and the local Municipal Corporation for city roads. When filing on Seedhi Baat, include: the exact road name, nearest landmark, approximate dimensions of the pothole, and how long it has been there. Also file a parallel complaint on the CPGRAMS portal (pgportal.gov.in) — dual-filing creates two records and increases accountability.
Reporting a Power Cut
Unscheduled power cuts beyond 4 hours violate the Electricity Act 2003, which mandates reliable supply. Your state electricity board (BESCOM in Karnataka, MSEDCL in Maharashtra, UPPCL in Uttar Pradesh) has a consumer grievance mechanism. File on Seedhi Baat to alert your MP, and simultaneously call the electricity board's 1912 helpline. Reference Section 42 of the Electricity Act 2003 in your complaint — it mandates standards of performance for distribution companies.
Reporting a Water Shortage
Water supply is a municipal function under the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which devolved urban governance to local bodies. share your feedback with your Municipal Corporation's water department AND on Seedhi Baat. Mention the number of days without supply and the number of households affected. Under the National Water Policy 2012, every citizen has a right to basic water access.
The Power of Parliamentary Pressure
MPs have the right to raise issues during Zero Hour and Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. When dozens of feedback submissions about the same issue accumulate on Seedhi Baat, the MP has both the political incentive and the documented evidence to raise it in Parliament — creating pressure that no municipal body can easily ignore.
Join the Seedhi Baat waitlist and help your constituency build a feedback record that MPs cannot ignore.
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