The sheer presence of Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni and his team has achieved what assistant municipal commissioner, executive engineers, ward officers and municipal councillors could not do in last two years in the city.

Gorwa, which happens to be on the route of the Indian and Australian teams’ way to the Reliance Stadium, has been given the much needed facelift.

This has happened despite the fact that the area does not come under the limits of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).

While thousands of residents in Gorwa area complained to VMC officials several times and other politicians about overflowing gutters, stinking drainage and bumpy roads, hardly any steps were taken by the authorities.

However, with the arrival of the cricket teams in the city, the encroachments from Rhino circle to the gate of the Reliance Stadium have been removed and the roads have been surfaced.

“See, how alert we are! It took us just a couple of days to solve the residents’ complaints. We wish more VIPs come so that the area remains neat and clean,” local councillor, Surekha Patel, told The Sunday Express.

Another councillor, Raman Solanki, said, “The residents of the area are happy with the speedy work.” When asked about the source of the funds for the works, he refused to comment.

“The residents of the area are tolerant. They understand the complications involved in such works,” said Patel.