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Namma Raste 2025: Bengaluru Transport Expo

Namma Raste was a three-day exhibition and conference held in Bengaluru from February 20 to 22, 2025, focusing on urban mobility and road infrastructure. Organized by BBMP, it featured expert discussions, workshops, and the launch of a handbook on road design best practices, emphasizing pedestrian safety and inclusive transport solutions. Key highlights included interactive exhibitions, panel discussions on gender-responsive mobility, and proposals for enhancing walkability and reducing car dependency.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
57 views3 pages

Namma Raste 2025: Bengaluru Transport Expo

Namma Raste was a three-day exhibition and conference held in Bengaluru from February 20 to 22, 2025, focusing on urban mobility and road infrastructure. Organized by BBMP, it featured expert discussions, workshops, and the launch of a handbook on road design best practices, emphasizing pedestrian safety and inclusive transport solutions. Key highlights included interactive exhibitions, panel discussions on gender-responsive mobility, and proposals for enhancing walkability and reducing car dependency.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

• Namma Raste was a three-day exhibition and conference held from February 20 to 22, 2025,

in Bengaluru, that focused on the city's transportation & road infrastructure.


• Organized by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the event brought together
urban planners, policymakers & community members to discuss & develop solutions for
enhancing urban mobility.
• Key topics included integrated multi-modal transportation systems, pedestrian and cyclist
safety & last-mile connectivity.
• The event also featured the release of a handbook outlining best practices in road design,
construction, operation & maintenance.

Key Highlights of the Event:

[Link] Exhibition:
Attendees explored data-driven narratives, interactive maps, and visual
storytelling that showcased the transformation of Bengaluru's public
transport system, including buses, metros, non-motorized transport, and
road infrastructure.
[Link] Discussions:
Policymakers, urban designers, startups, and civic groups engaged in
dialogues to shape a more connected and sustainable transport
ecosystem.
[Link] of 'Namma Raste Kaipidi':
The event featured the release of an illustrated handbook on road design
best practices, aimed at enhancing Bengaluru’s 12,000 km road network to
ensure safer and more resilient streets.
[Link] and Capacity Building:
Workshops were conducted for officials from BBMP, Bengaluru Smart City
Limited (BenSCL), and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT).
Topics included creating child-friendly public spaces and rethinking urban
street design to improve safety and accessibility.
[Link] Discussions:
Panels addressed the importance of gender-responsive mobility and the
need for inclusive urban transport solutions.
[Link] of Human-Centric Street Designs:
The exhibition displayed human-centric street designs as potential
solutions for the city's road and street network, emphasizing pedestrian-
friendly infrastructure.

The evolution of BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan


Transport Corporation) buses has been pivotal
in shaping the city's public transport system.
Starting in 1948 with a modest fleet of 7 buses,
BMTC gradually expanded its services to
accommodate the growing population. By the
1990s, the introduction of the Vajra bus service
marked a significant upgrade, featuring air-
conditioned buses for better comfort. Over the
years, BMTC adopted modern technologies,
transitioning to eco-friendly buses, including
electric and hybrid models. Today, it serves as a
backbone of urban mobility, offering a wide
range of services such as the Vayu Vajra for
airport connectivity, ensuring Bengaluru's public
transport is more efficient and sustainable.

The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) played a pivotal role in Namma Raste 2025, contributing to the event's objectives of
enhancing urban mobility in Bengaluru.

[Link] & Capacity Building:


DULT conducted workshops for officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bengaluru Smart City
Limited (BenSCL), and DULT itself. These sessions focused on creating child-friendly public spaces and rethinking urban
street design to improve safety and accessibility.
[Link] Discussions:
DULT participated in panel discussions addressing the importance of gender-responsive mobility and the need for inclusive
urban transport solutions.
[Link] of Human-Centric Street Designs:
The exhibition featured human-centric street designs as potential solutions for the city's road and street network,
emphasizing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

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The various elements mentioned aim to make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists & motorists. The different features
are as follows;

1. Minimum Intervention, Maximum Impact (NG MLRUTRAFEN): This principle suggests that small, strategic
changes to the infrastructure can create significant improvements in road safety and traffic flow. The focus is on
efficient interventions that have a high impact, without large-scale changes.
2. Metro and Suburb (Bengaluru): This likely refers to the integration of metro and suburban transport systems to
ensure safer pedestrian movements and smoother connections between different parts of the city, especially for
areas near metro stations or suburban hubs.
3. Elements for Safer Streets: A variety of infrastructure elements are being proposed to create safer streets, ensuring
that pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles can coexist safely.
4. Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety: This initiative supports global efforts to improve road
safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities. Bengaluru’s participation suggests the implementation of international best
practices for road safety.
5. Refuge Island: A raised platform in the middle of the road, typically used for pedestrians to rest while crossing multi-
lane roads. This makes crossing safer, especially on busy streets.
6. Speed Hump: Raised sections of the road designed to slow down vehicles, helping reduce speeding and making
roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
7. Road Markings: Clear road markings guide vehicles and pedestrians, ensuring better traffic flow and safer
crossings. This includes lane markers, zebra crossings, and other signage.
8. Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru: A major road where some of these safety features, such as refuge islands and road
markings, might be implemented to enhance safety.
9. Median Refuge: This is a form of refuge island placed in the median of a road. It provides a safe zone for
pedestrians when crossing wide roads with high traffic, allowing them to cross in two stages.
10. Curb Extension: Curb extensions or "bulb-outs" extend the curb into the parking lane, shortening pedestrian
crossing distances and improving visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.
11. Signage: Effective signage helps regulate traffic and communicate important information to both drivers and
pedestrians, such as speed limits, pedestrian crossings, and warning signs.
12. Banashankari Junction, Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru: This busy junction may see improvements such as better
signage, pedestrian refuge islands, and road markings to facilitate safer crossings and smoother traffic flow.
13. Hosur Road: Another key road, potentially targeted for road safety improvements in the event, including features like
speed humps and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
14. High Raised Pedestrian Crossing (HRPC): Elevated pedestrian crossings (such as overpasses or bridges) are
designed to keep pedestrians safe from vehicle traffic, especially in high-traffic areas.
15. Sidewalk with Multi-Utility Zone (MUZ): A multi-utility zone is an integrated area on sidewalks that might include
seating, greenery, and other public amenities while still ensuring that pedestrians have enough space to walk safely.
16. Property Entrance: The design of entrances to properties along roads, ensuring they do not obstruct pedestrian
walkways or cause traffic disruptions.
17. Compact Intersection: A smaller, more efficient intersection design that reduces the crossing distances for
pedestrians and minimizes the time vehicles spend at the junction, improving traffic flow and safety.
18. Rumble Strip: These are textured strips on the road that make a noise when vehicles drive over them, warning
drivers to slow down, especially in areas with higher pedestrian traffic.
19. Bus Stops: Designing safer and more accessible bus stops, with proper shelters, clear signage, and pedestrian
pathways to ensure people can board buses safely without obstructing traffic.

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Walkability
The concept of walkability was explored in depth, focusing on how to create a more pedestrian-friendly Bengaluru by improving
infrastructure and ensuring that walking is a safe and pleasant experience for all. Inclusive

1. Urban Design: The event emphasized the need for designing streets and public spaces that cater to all segments of society. This
means ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, providing safe pathways for children and considering the elderly's mobility
challenges. The goal was to create urban spaces that allow everyone to move freely and safely.
2. Pedestrian-Friendly Infrastructure: A significant point of focus was the expansion of pedestrian infrastructure. Proposals
included building wider footpaths, installing well-marked crossings, enhancing street lighting and adding clear signage to help
pedestrians navigate busy streets. These improvements are crucial in making walking safer and more convenient, particularly in
crowded urban areas.
3. Reduced Car Dependency: The conference highlighted the importance of reducing car usage by making walking a more
attractive option for short-distance travel. Encouraging people to walk for shorter trips could ease traffic congestion, reduce
pollution, and improve the overall health of the community. By enhancing walkability, Bengaluru could shift towards a more
sustainable transport culture.
4. Mixed-Use Development: The idea of mixed-use development was discussed as a key factor in promoting walkability. This
approach involves creating neighborhoods where essential services such as schools, healthcare, shopping centers, and parks are
within walking distance. This reduces the need for long commutes and makes it easier for people to integrate walking into their
daily routines.
5. Safe and Green Public Spaces: Walkability isn't just about infrastructure—it's also about the experience. Green spaces, trees,
benches, and other amenities along pedestrian routes were highlighted as important elements. These features not only make
walking more pleasant but also provide a safer, healthier environment for people of all ages.
6. Gender-Responsive Mobility: A crucial topic raised was the need for gender-responsive urban planning. This means designing
spaces that address the specific mobility needs of women, children, and other vulnerable groups. For instance, ensuring that
public spaces are well-lit, safe, and accessible, particularly for women walking alone or with children.

Mobility includes;
1. Station mobility program
(STAMP)
2. Low emission access to public
transport
3. Fostering Innovation (Mobility as
a service)

Key Aspects of the Symposium:

•Themes: The symposium addressed several critical areas, including:

• Transport and Well-being: Exploring how transportation systems can


enhance individual and community well-being.
• Transport, Health, and Happiness: Investigating the connections
between transportation, health outcomes, and individual happiness.
• Transport and Livability/Quality of Life (QoL): Analyzing the impact
of transportation systems on livability and quality of life in urban and
rural areas.
• Transport, Equity, and Accessibility: Addressing issues of social
equity and accessibility in transportation systems to ensure inclusive
mobility.
• Transport and Environmental Quality and Disaster Resiliency:
Examining the role of transportation systems in environmental
sustainability and disaster resilience.
• Other Aspects of Transport Related to Livability and Quality of Life:
Covering additional topics that link transportation systems to broader
aspects of livability and quality of life.

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Common questions

Powered by AI

Inclusive and gender-responsive urban design is crucial in transport and mobility planning because it addresses the specific needs of diverse societal groups, ensuring that mobility systems are accessible and safe for all, including women, children, and vulnerable populations. For instance, well-lit and safe public spaces are particularly important for women and children. This approach not only enhances safety and accessibility but also promotes a sense of equality and empowerment among these groups, ensuring that everyone can participate fully in urban life without mobility barriers .

Implementing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure like high raised pedestrian crossings, widened footpaths, and clear signage in a city like Bengaluru has several benefits: it enhances pedestrian safety by providing dedicated spaces for walking; improves traffic flow by reducing pedestrian and vehicle interaction points; fosters a more walkable environment, encouraging people to choose walking over driving for short distances; and contributes to reducing pollution and improving the overall urban quality of life by making non-motorized transport more viable and attractive .

Improving walkability promotes a sustainable transport culture by reducing reliance on motorized transport, thus decreasing traffic congestion and emissions. It encourages the adoption of eco-friendly transportation modes by making walking safer, more convenient, and enjoyable. This shift can lead to healthier communities, as people integrate physical activity into their daily routines. Additionally, walkability can catalyze economic benefits by increasing foot traffic to local businesses and reducing infrastructure costs related to vehicle-centric designs. Overall, enhancing walkability aligns with broader sustainability goals by fostering active, connected communities .

Mixed-use development supports the goal of reducing car dependency by creating neighborhoods where essential services such as schools, healthcare, shopping centers, and parks are within walking distance. This layout minimizes the need for long commutes and consequentially reduces the reliance on cars for everyday activities. By integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, mixed-use areas encourage walking and cycling, which reduces traffic congestion and environmental impact while promoting healthier lifestyles and more sustainable urban environments .

Integrating metro and suburban transport systems in Bengaluru aids in ensuring safer pedestrian movements by creating smoother connections and transitions between different transport modes. This integration reduces the dependency on road-based travel, thereby decreasing pedestrian exposure to traffic hazards. It also facilitates safer crosswalks and more organized pedestrian flow, especially around metro stations and suburban hubs. This seamless connectivity promotes more predictable pedestrian movements and enhances overall safety .

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety is significant for Bengaluru's traffic safety efforts as it brings international best practices and support to the city. By participating in this initiative, Bengaluru can implement proven strategies to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. The initiative offers technical support, infrastructure enhancement recommendations, and policy advice tailored to enhance road safety. This partnership is crucial for addressing the city's complex traffic challenges and striving toward safer, well-organized urban mobility .

The "Minimum Intervention, Maximum Impact" principle suggests implementing small, strategic changes in the road infrastructure to significantly enhance road safety and traffic flow. This approach focuses on efficient interventions that have a high impact without requiring large-scale changes, such as installing speed humps, refuge islands, and clear road markings, which can greatly enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety while improving overall traffic management .

Human-centric street designs showcased at Namma Raste 2025 play a crucial role in promoting pedestrian-friendly urban environments by prioritizing the needs and safety of people over vehicles. These designs include features such as wider sidewalks, refuge islands, curb extensions, and pedestrian-only zones. By focusing on human-scale infrastructure, these designs enhance comfort and safety for pedestrians, reduce vehicle speeds, and encourage active transportation modes like walking and cycling. Ultimately, such designs contribute to creating balanced, livable streets that support sustainable urban growth and improved quality of life .

The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) played a pivotal role in Namma Raste 2025 by conducting workshops aimed at capacity building for officials from various organizations such as BBMP and Bengaluru Smart City Limited. These workshops focused on creating child-friendly public spaces and rethinking urban street design to improve safety and accessibility. Additionally, DULT participated in panel discussions addressing gender-responsive mobility and the importance of inclusive urban transport solutions. They also showcased human-centric street designs at the exhibition, emphasizing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Their contributions were central to achieving the event's objectives of enhancing urban mobility in Bengaluru .

The primary themes discussed at the Namma Raste symposium included transport and well-being, transport's impact on health and happiness, livability and quality of life, equity and accessibility, and environmental quality and disaster resiliency. These themes are interconnected and collectively aimed at enhancing the livability and quality of life in Bengaluru by creating transportation systems that are equitable, accessible, and environmentally sustainable. By focusing on these areas, the symposium addressed how comprehensive transportation planning can improve urban living conditions, community well-being, and environmental resilience, ensuring that the city evolves into a more inclusive and habitable space .

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