Scientists, Planners & Citizens to Discuss Sustainable Transport Solutions in Bengaluru On Mar 28

The third episode of the public talk series "The Science for Sustainable Urban Living" is set to bring Bengaluru's urban mobility challenges into sharp focus, with a strong emphasis on science-backed, citizen-driven solutions.

Scheduled for 28 March 2026, this session will delve into how the city can transition towards cleaner, safer and more efficient commuting systems-an issue that affects millions of residents daily.

Organised jointly by the Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster and the Bangalore Apartments' Federation (BAF), the series has been running since January 2026 as part of a broader initiative under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. Designed as a six-part monthly programme, it aims to empower apartment communities and citizens with practical knowledge to improve urban sustainability and resilience. The first two episodes addressed waste management and water security, making mobility a natural and critical next theme.

Speakers and Experts

The third episode brings together a diverse panel of experts from academia, civil society and urban practice. Among the key speakers is Prof. Ashish Verma, a leading authority in transportation systems engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and convenor of the IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab. His work focuses on improving urban mobility through data-driven and sustainable approaches.

Joining him is Prof. Abdul Rawoof Pinjari, Chair of the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP) at IISc, who specialises in travel behaviour and urban systems. His insights are expected to highlight how infrastructure planning and policy can shape more sustainable cities.

Urban heritage expert Arun Pai, founder of Bangalore Walks, will bring a unique perspective on how city design and cultural context intersect with mobility patterns. Representing the policy and implementation space is Rohan Rao, Programme Lead for Sustainable Cities and Transport at WRI India, who works on large-scale urban mobility solutions across Indian cities.

The panel is further strengthened by Vikram Rai, former President of the Bangalore Apartments' Federation, who will reflect community-level concerns, and Sathya Sankaran, Bicycle Mayor of Bengaluru and Strategy Lead at Rainmatter Foundation, known for his advocacy of cycling and people-centric urban design.

Venue, Timings and Format

The event will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, from 3.00 PM to 6.00 PM. Like previous sessions, it will follow an engaging format featuring a 60-minute moderated panel discussion, followed by a 30-minute interactive Q&A session.

In addition to the discussions, attendees can explore a community showcase, flash talks, and stalls and exhibits that highlight innovative solutions and grassroots initiatives related to sustainable urban living. The event will also be accessible through online streaming, ensuring wider participation.

Focus on Sustainable Mobility

The central theme of this episode revolves around transforming Bengaluru's daily commute through collaborative and citizen-led efforts. Discussions will examine how public transport can become more accessible through improved first- and last-mile connectivity, and how better integration between Metro services, BMTC buses and shared mobility can enhance efficiency.

The role of digital tools and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms in enabling seamless multimodal travel will also be explored. With electric vehicles gaining traction, the session will address how apartment communities can prepare for EV adoption, including infrastructure readiness.

Equally important is the focus on creating safer, more inclusive streets that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. The speakers will emphasise that sustainable mobility is not just a policy issue, but one that requires active citizen participation to build a more equitable urban transport ecosystem.

Registrations for the event are open online, and the organisers are encouraging residents, policy experts, innovators and civic stakeholders to take part in shaping Bengaluru's sustainable future.