Bengaluru Embraces ‘Walkaluru’ Identity With Citywide Pedestrian Revival Tours

Image Source : Mint

Bengaluru has officially stepped into its new identity as ‘Walkaluru’, celebrating walkability as a civic priority through a series of curated pedestrian revival tours. Spearheaded by local guides and supported by BBMP and BMRCL, the initiative marks a cultural and infrastructural shift toward reclaiming public spaces for foot traffic.

Key Highlights From The Movement

- The BLRWalkFest featured 15 themed walks over 15 days, covering 100 km of footpaths and attracting over 1,500 participants
- Walks spanned heritage zones, tech corridors, food streets, and green trails, showcasing the city’s diversity and walkable potential
- Senior government officials, including BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, joined the walks to assess pedestrian infrastructure firsthand

Origins And Impact

- The movement traces back to 2005, when a local entrepreneur launched Victorian-style walking tours on MG Road
- Over two decades, walking tours evolved from niche experiences to mainstream urban storytelling platforms
- The initiative has inspired policy conversations around footpath design, accessibility, and pedestrian-first mobility planning

Future Vision

- Plans are underway to expand walkable zones to 1,000 km by 2040, with a focus on obstruction-free, tree-lined footpaths
- Urban designers and mobility experts advocate for gender-inclusive and barrier-free infrastructure
- Bengaluru’s transformation into Walkaluru is seen as a model for other Indian cities aiming to balance growth with livability

Sources: Times of India, Deccan Herald, Citizen Matters, Youth Ki Awaaz, Walkable Cities India