Bengaluru: The residents of the HSR Layout were seen enjoying after the ‘Open Streets Bengaluru’ initiative which included one-day vehicular ban was implemented on a trial basis by the authorities on Sunday.
Families and children came out to enjoy the calm atmosphere which is otherwise a busy road with heavy traffic and air pollution. All seven sectors of the layout were free of vehicles which proved to be a boon to the residents.
Bengaluru District-In-Charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy joined the kids for a game of cricket. He along with a few local leaders arrived at HSR layout on a bullock-cart. Children were seen playing on the road, cycle rides, music and dance events, live band performances, skating, pottery making, street plays, among other things seen on the free road.
“Today’s environment is how the city should actually be – calm and serene. Once in a while, such an initiative is welcome. Everyone is out having a good time. We hope that the coming Sunday will also see a ban here. Vehicles can be allowed if there is an emergency otherwise this is how a Sunday should be,” Mandeep Singh, another resident told sources.
Open Streets is a neighbourhood initiative to encourage cycling, walking and use of public transport in your area. All kinds of motor vehicles, expect ambulances, fire tenders, police vehicles and buses for public transport, are barred from the streets for a specific number of hours.
Tagged ‘Raahgiri’, Whitefield Main Road, near Forum Value Mall, will host the next Open Streets in Bengaluru on October 4. Bengaluru traffic police is working with Tourism Vision Group to organise more Open Streets, mainly on Brigade Road, M.G. Road and Commercial Street by the end of 2015. Representatives from Koramangala and BTM Layout too have expressed interest to host the initiative following its success in HSR Layout on Sunday.
