A viral social media post has set off a heated discussion among Bengaluru residents and city officials, comparing the condition of the city’s footpaths to those found in international metropolises like Paris, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. The post, which includes a series of images, is captioned: “An average footpath in Paris, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Bangalore.”
The comparison reveals a stark difference: while the footpaths in the European and Turkish cities are depicted as well-maintained, spacious, and clean, the image representing Bengaluru showcases a narrow, uneven, and poorly kept pathway. This stark visual contrast has amplified existing concerns about the state of pedestrian infrastructure within the city.
The online reaction has been varied. Many pointed out that the Bengaluru image was taken from a central business district, a relatively better-maintained area, suggesting that conditions in other parts of the city, like Sarjapur and Varthur, are even worse, with footpaths often non-existent. Others drew parallels to other Indian cities, noting similar infrastructure issues outside core areas. Some suggested that comparing Bengaluru to cities like Sri Lanka, Thailand, or Indonesia would be more realistic.
This debate comes on the heels of viral videos by Canadian influencer Caleb Friesen, who documented the poor condition of Bengaluru’s footpaths and unsafe pedestrian zones. His content reportedly spurred local authorities to initiate repairs and improvements on several city pathways.
Urban experts and concerned citizens believe that this viral post, combined with Friesen’s videos, has finally pushed authorities to prioritize pedestrian infrastructure, potentially marking a significant shift towards improving walkability in Bengaluru.
Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Hindustan Times has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not endorse them.