From Data Deficit to Footpath Neglect, Bengaluru’s Mobility Challenges Laid Bare

Bengaluru's growing mobility crisis came into sharp focus at the third episode of "The Science for Sustainable Urban Living", with experts, policymakers and citizen voices calling for urgent reforms driven by better data, institutional coordination and community participation.

Held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, the session was organised by the Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster and the Bangalore Apartments' Federation (BAF), bringing together a diverse panel including Prof. Ashish Verma and Prof. Abdul Rawoof Pinjari from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), urban expert Arun Pai, mobility practitioner Shamant Kumar, BAF's Vikram Rai, and Bicycle Mayor Sathya Sankaran.

Mobility a Challenge, but Also an Opportunity

Setting the tone, BeST Cluster CEO Ananta Raman stressed that Bengaluru's mobility issues must be seen not just as a problem but as an opportunity for innovation.

"Mobility is not a distant problem. It is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity. What we require is dialogue, and over time we can arrive at solutions rooted in science and technology," he said, adding that citizen participation is central to solving urban challenges.

BAF President Satish Mallya echoed this, highlighting the role of communities. "Mobility is no longer just a planning concern-it is a shared civic responsibility," he said.

Data Deficit Holding Back Solutions

A key theme that dominated the discussion was the lack of integrated and real-time data across Bengaluru's fragmented transport ecosystem.

''AI may have the best models, but without good data, how will you get a reliable output? Data, data, data - that is the foundation," Shamanth Kumar said.

Experts pointed out that while BMTC, Metro and private platforms generate large volumes of data, the absence of open and unified systems prevents seamless commuting. Integrated platforms, they said, could enable end-to-end journey planning across walking, buses and Metro.

Scientific Evidence Exists, But Action Lags

Despite years of research, experts argued that the real challenge lies in governance, not lack of knowledge.

"We have enough scientific evidence for almost every aspect of mobility. The problem is that it rarely translates into actual decisions," said Prof. Ashish Verma.

Prof. Abdul Rawoof Pinjari added that without institutional mechanisms, decisions often remain ad hoc. "If we cannot measure it, we cannot manage it. We need continuous data, structured processes and institutions like BMLTA functioning in both letter and spirit," he said.

Public Transport and Walking Are Non-Negotiable

The panel strongly emphasised that sustainable mobility cannot be achieved without prioritising public transport and walking.

"The only way Bengaluru can sustain its mobility is public transport and walking. There is no second solution," a speaker said.

However, gaps in execution remain a major hurdle. While policies aim for 70% of trips via public transport, implementation continues to lag due to capacity constraints and lack of long-term planning.

Footpaths and Walking Infrastructure Ignored

The discussion repeatedly returned to the neglect of pedestrian infrastructure, with speakers calling it the most fundamental gap.

"If you don't measure it, you don't improve it. There is no data on how many people walk on our roads," a panellist said.

Arun Pai, founder and heritage walk curator at Bangalore Walks, highlighted citizen-led efforts to fill this gap. "We mapped over 500 kilometres of footpaths simply by walking with a camera. If you fix the footpath, a lot of mobility problems solve themselves," he said.

He also stressed that citizens can take initiative. "Nobody stops you. The system is so broken that if you start fixing things, you realise you can."

Streets Must Be Designed for People

Experts called for a fundamental shift in how urban spaces are designed.

"The street is a space for people, but our systems still design it only for vehicles," a Arun Pai noted, emphasising that walking and cycling must be treated as core components of mobility.

The discussion also linked mobility to quality of life, health and well-being. Improved walking infrastructure, experts said, can directly impact physical and mental health, especially for the elderly.

Governance and Capacity Gaps Persist

Institutional fragmentation and lack of technical capacity emerged as major concerns.

"Everyone is working, but not necessarily together. That is the biggest challenge," the panel observed.

Experts highlighted the need for dedicated transport professionals, better-trained agencies, and stronger institutions like the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) to ensure coordinated planning.

Technology Alone Cannot Fix Mobility

While solutions like electric vehicles and AI were discussed, speakers cautioned against over-reliance on technology.

"EVs are not a solution by themselves-they are only part of the solution," a panellist said, noting that congestion and space constraints remain unchanged.

Instead, the focus must remain on reducing private vehicle dependence and improving accessibility.

Citizens Key to Driving Change

A recurring message from the session was the importance of citizen engagement in shaping mobility solutions.

"Listening to citizens is very important because some of the best ideas come from them," Ananta Raman said.

With Bengaluru continuing to face congestion, pollution and infrastructure stress, the discussion reinforced that sustainable mobility will require a collaborative approach-where science, policy and citizen action work together.