Dodging potholes, hopping over garbage and zigzagging around broken pavements, walking through Bengaluru can feel like playing Super Mario in real life. That reality came into sharp focus when the Greater Bengaluru Authority urged citizens on social media to walk a kilometre as part of a climate action and health campaign. The response was immediate: residents countered with photos and stories of crumbling footpaths, missing pedestrian infrastructure and unsafe streets. The criticism was severe enough for the civic body to delete the post. The episode has renewed a familiar question: how can a city encourage people to walk when basic pedestrian infrastructure remains neglected?It is in this context that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar‘s announcement of a Rs 2,000-crore road resurfacing programme has drawn attention. The initiative, unveiled on the day of his swearing-in, aims to cover roads across Bengaluru within three to four months, including stretches not covered by existing projects.But while smoother roads are welcome, Bengaluru’s larger challenge lies beyond its carriageways. If the city is serious about promoting walking and cycling, fixing its broken footpaths may be just as crucial as repairing its roads.Compiled by Trisha Majumder
