Priority for Pedestrians in Building a “Walkable Bengaluru”
Bengaluru, Nov. 1:
To celebrate the city’s pedestrian pathways and to raise public awareness about the importance of walkable infrastructure, a special campaign titled “Rajyotsava Walkathon – 11K” was organized today.
The event was conducted by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in collaboration with the city’s residents, with the objective of encouraging citizens to experience the beauty of Bengaluru’s footpaths firsthand and assess whether they are free of obstacles for comfortable pedestrian movement.
Starting from Vidhana Soudha at 7 AM, the walkathon saw enthusiastic participation from over 75 citizens, who covered an 11-kilometre route through central Bengaluru.
Route of the Walkathon:
The walk began at Vidhana Soudha, proceeded eastward via Cubbon Road up to Halasuru Lake, and continued through St. John’s Church Road, Commercial Street, and Infantry Road, finally concluding near Vidhana Soudha. The entire 11 km stretch falls within the Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency, and officers and staff of the Bengaluru Central City Corporation ensured cleanliness along the route.
Pedestrian Pathway Assessment:
Participants rated the pedestrian paths based on the number of obstacles encountered along the route. Obstacles included waste, debris, broken slabs, poles, and fallen trees. Most participants reported encountering fewer than five obstacles, with some rating the route as having “zero” obstructions.
Support from the GBA Chief Commissioner:
GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao emphasized that the city’s pedestrian pathways must be citizen-friendly and ensure smooth, obstruction-free movement. He personally visited the walkathon route, congratulated all participants, and extended his full support to the “Rajyotsava Walkathon – 11K” initiative.