Bengaluru, January 1: Bengaluru marked the first day of the New Year 2026 by scripting a landmark moment in urban mobility, successfully hosting the world’s longest collective footpath walk covering 26 kilometres, reinforcing the city’s commitment to pedestrian safety, walkable infrastructure, and sustainable urban development.
Organised under the aegis of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the historic footpath walk commenced at 7:00 am and saw enthusiastic participation from over 300 citizens, ranging in age from 9 to 76 years. By evening, 165 participants successfully completed the entire 26-km stretch, walking exclusively on footpaths until 6:30 pm.
Route Highlights
The carefully curated pedestrian route covered major city corridors including RV Road, Jayanagar, Siddapura, Lalbagh, KH Road, the K-100 corridor, Hosur Road, Richmond Road, Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha, Ulsoor Lake, Cantonment Railway Station, Jayamahal, Mekhri Circle, and Yeshwantpur.
A key highlight of the walk was the 2-km stretch along the K-100 Civic Waterway, where participants experienced uninterrupted pedestrian pathways, passing three Kempegowda towers, a lake, two parks, and newly developed footpaths, showcasing Bengaluru’s evolving pedestrian infrastructure.
Senior Officials Walk the Talk
Demonstrating strong administrative commitment, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, and Commissioners of South, West, and North City Corporations actively participated in the walk, underlining the government’s top-level focus on pedestrian-friendly urban planning.
Participants lauded the availability and continuity of footpaths across the 26-km route and appreciated the hands-on involvement of senior officials, calling it a rare and encouraging example of governance engaging directly with citizens.
Stroller Test Adds Practical Insight
In a unique practical assessment, a baby stroller was pushed across the entire 26-km footpath route to evaluate real-world usability. While the exercise confirmed overall walkability, participants noted the need for improved ramps at select locations to ensure seamless access for strollers, wheelchairs, and the elderly.
A Model for Indian Cities
Led by Arun Pai, Coordinator of the Wakuluru Project, the initiative has been hailed as a milestone in citizen-centric urban design. The New Year’s Day event not only reaffirmed Bengaluru’s vision of a safe, inclusive, and sustainable city, but also set a national benchmark for pedestrian infrastructure, offering a replicable model for cities across India.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷದ ದಿನ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶ್ವ ದಾಖಲೆ: 26 ಕಿ.ಮೀ ಪಾದಚಾರಿ ಫುಟ್ಪಾತ್ ನಡಿಗೆಯಿಂದ ‘ವಾಕ್ಎಬಲ್ ಸಿಟಿ’ ಸಂದೇಶ
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