Namma Raste Kaipidi (Guidebook) a Blueprint for City Streets
Shri DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, inaugurated Namma Raste on Thursday — a three-day exhibition and convening, organized by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), aimed at building a more efficient and inclusive transport future for Bengaluru.
Bengaluru, February 20, 2025: “Our goal is to transform Bengaluru into a holistically developed city where every transportation need is met. This means creating an efficient, accessible, and sustainable transportation network that caters to all citizens,” said Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka at the launch of ‘Namma Raste’ (Our Streets) 2025. The second edition of the annual exhibition and convening, at the BBMP headquarters, focuses on integrated, multimodal transport solutions for Bengaluru.
Shri Shivakumar also launched ‘Namma Raste Kaipidi,’ an illustrated guidebook that outlines best practices in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of roads. The guidebook aims to improve Bengaluru’s 12,000 km road network, ensuring that they are designed for long-term sustainability and resilience. Shivakumar said, “Just as the constitution serves as a guidebook for our nation, this Kaipidi should be the blueprint for our roads, ensuring that every aspect of our transportation infrastructure is thoughtfully planned and executed.”
He acknowledged the contribution of the young people who have come forward with creative ideas to improve the transportation system. He said, “By embracing the contributions of young entrepreneurs and innovators, we can drive progress and ensure that Bengaluru remains a vibrant and forward-thinking city."
BBMP, with support from WRI India as knowledge partner and 50+ partner organizations, is hosting Namma Raste from February 20-22, 2025. The three-day exhibition and convening showcases Bengaluru’s evolving mobility landscape through data-driven narratives, interactive maps and visual storytelling. The event also highlights different mobility aspects including walkability, non-motorized transport (NMT) and road infrastructure, demonstrating how robust data can inform better urban planning.
Talking about the conception of ‘Namma Raste Kaipidi’, Shri Tushar Giri Nath, Chief Commissioner, BBMP, said, “Kaipidi. was born out of a meeting with the Karnataka Chief Minister, who highlighted that while Bengaluru is a globally recognized city, we lack a comprehensive guide for road construction. This realization led to the creation of the Kaipidi which serves as a detailed manual covering all aspects of road construction. Our vision extends beyond just building roads; we aim to create cities that are accessible and inclusive. By adhering to the guidelines set forth, we can ensure that our infrastructure provides a seamless experience for all citizens.”
In line with this vision, Namma Raste 2025 was also designed as an inclusive and accessible event. Prerna George, Yes to Access Project, The Association of People with Disability (APD) said, “We worked with WRI India to make Namma Raste 2025 accessible, highlighting the importance of intentional design in urban planning. With the right collaboration and technology, we can make inclusivity a standard practice, ensuring cities evolve into spaces where mobility is a right for everyone.
Madhav Pai, Chief Executive Officer, WRI India said, “Bengaluru stands at a crucial juncture in reshaping its transportation landscape, with the expansion of metro, suburban rail and bus networks. This presents a unique opportunity to build a seamless, integrated mobility ecosystem, including secondary and tertiary street networks that will be essential to enhance accessibility, reduce congestion, and improve overall urban mobility. Namma Raste 2025 is uniting all stakeholders to reimagine urban mobility, strengthen connectivity, and tackle critical challenges in pedestrian and cyclist safety, while advancing solutions for last-mile connectivity.”
