India: Artist turns pothole into mock crocodile pond

The huge model crocodile caught the attention of many passers-by, as well as the local authorities

An Indian artist left frustrated by a huge pothole has highlighted the problem in a novel way - by filling it with a life-size fake crocodile.

Visual artist Baadal Nanjundaswamy turned the 3.7m (12ft) waterlogged hole in Bangalore into a mock croc pond to try to make the authorities fix it, the Indian Express website reports. The hole had been annoying locals for about a month, prompting the artist to spend 6,000 rupees ($94; £60) creating the model reptile.

"Everyone has the potential to express themselves in his or her own way," Mr Nanjundaswamy said after settling the crocodile into its new home, and giving the hole a swamp-like colour scheme. "This is my way of communicating a grievance." The hole was apparently caused by a broken water pipe, and worsened due to recent monsoon rain.

The artist's stunt appears to have worked - only a day later, a group of contractors turned up to repair the damaged road. Not before the model had caused some alarm, though. One local man tells the paper he thought the 20kg (44lb) replica was the real thing, and almost called for help.

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