Bengaluru: A 14-year-old student from Bengaluru has caught the attention of social media users after developing a mobile application aimed at improving pedestrian infrastructure in the city through crowdsourced reporting and public feedback.
The teenager, identified as Surya Uthkarsha, shared a video on X demonstrating his application called “RASTHE”, which allows users to upload photographs of damaged, unusable or poorly maintained footpaths and report them directly to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Describing the concept as “Tinder for Footpaths”, the young developer said the app combines civic reporting with a voting and ranking system that lets users compare and rate footpaths across Bengaluru.
The idea quickly gained traction online, with many users praising the teenager’s initiative and highlighting the growing role of technology-driven civic participation in Indian cities.
App allows users to report footpath problems
In the demonstration video shared on social media, Surya explained that the application enables residents to identify problematic footpaths and submit complaints using images and location mapping.
According to him, users can upload photographs of broken pavements, encroachments, uneven sidewalks or inaccessible walkways directly through the app. The reports are then mapped to specific BBMP wards, making it easier for civic authorities to identify affected areas.
“I have built a mobile app for Bengaluru users to report footpaths,” Surya said in the video.
He explained that the goal was to simplify the process of reporting pedestrian infrastructure problems while also creating a public database of usable and unusable footpaths across the city.
The application uses a crowdsourced model where citizens contribute information, helping generate a clearer picture of Bengaluru’s pedestrian conditions.
“Tinder for footpaths” concept gains attention
One of the most talked-about aspects of the application is its swipe-based ranking feature, which Surya described humorously as “Tinder for Footpaths”.
The app reportedly allows users to compare footpaths by swiping and marking them as “better” or “worse”. Over time, the system generates rankings based on public voting, identifying the best and worst pedestrian pathways in Bengaluru.
Users can also nominate specific footpaths for voting and review, helping build a community-driven evaluation system for the city’s pedestrian infrastructure.
In the caption accompanying his post, Surya wrote, “I fixed Bengaluru and TRAFFIC in 30 minutes. Meet RASTHE: Tinder for Footpaths.”
The post rapidly circulated online and drew reactions from residents, urban planners, software professionals and civic activists.
Many social media users appreciated the teenager’s creativity and said the app reflects how young innovators are attempting to solve long-standing urban problems using technology.
Bengaluru’s footpath problems remain major concern
The app comes amid continuing criticism over Bengaluru’s pedestrian infrastructure and urban planning challenges.
Residents have frequently raised concerns about broken pavements, missing sidewalks, potholes, waterlogging and encroachments that force pedestrians to walk on busy roads.
Footpath accessibility has also become a key issue for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities, especially in densely populated and high-traffic areas of the city.
Despite repeated civic projects and road development initiatives, many areas in Bengaluru continue to face problems related to pedestrian safety and walkability.
Civic groups and urban planners have often argued that Indian cities remain heavily vehicle-centric, with inadequate focus on safe and accessible pedestrian infrastructure.
The issue becomes particularly severe during monsoon seasons, when damaged pavements and poor drainage create additional risks for pedestrians.
Social media users praise initiative
The viral post received widespread praise online, with many users encouraging BBMP and other civic bodies to engage with young innovators working on practical urban solutions.
Several users said the application could improve accountability by publicly documenting civic problems and encouraging authorities to respond more quickly.
Others highlighted how technology and crowdsourced platforms are increasingly being used by residents to report potholes, traffic issues, garbage accumulation and other civic concerns in Bengaluru.
Some users also jokingly suggested that the swipe-based interface could make civic participation more engaging for younger citizens.
Urban governance experts have previously noted that citizen-driven reporting tools can help local bodies prioritise infrastructure maintenance more effectively when combined with proper administrative follow-up.
Technology and civic engagement intersect
The popularity of the “RASTHE” app reflects a growing trend where young developers and technology enthusiasts are attempting to address city-level problems through digital innovation.
Bengaluru, widely regarded as India’s technology capital, has seen several citizen-led initiatives focused on traffic management, waste reporting, public transport tracking and civic issue mapping in recent years.
The teenager’s initiative also reignited discussions around how civic authorities can collaborate with residents, startups and developers to improve urban infrastructure through real-time data and public participation.
While it remains unclear whether BBMP will formally integrate or respond to the app, the project has already succeeded in drawing fresh attention to Bengaluru’s long-standing pedestrian infrastructure challenges.
For many residents, the viral app symbolises both frustration with the city’s footpaths and optimism that technology-driven civic engagement could help improve urban living conditions in the future.