A viral video shared by a Canadian resident has starkly highlighted the crumbling pedestrian infrastructure in Bengaluru, even within its most affluent neighborhoods. The footage, recorded by Caleb Friesen as he walked with his young son through the upscale Indiranagar locality, has ignited a fresh conversation about the city's persistent infrastructure woes and the challenges faced by its walkers.
A Father's Perilous Walk Through an Expensive Enclave
In the Instagram video, Caleb Friesen documents a routine walk that turns into an obstacle course. The footage shows him and his son navigating broken footpaths, open voids, and dangerously misaligned slabs on Double Road in Indiranagar. The path is obstructed by missing covers, potted plants, overgrown trees, and parked vehicles, forcing them to step onto the busy road for safety.
"This is your signal to stop doomscrolling and start doomwalking," Friesen wrote wryly in the caption. He elaborated, stating, "In all seriousness though, this is what Double Road in Indiranagar (one of Bengaluru's most expensive neighbourhoods) is like as a pedestrian parent. Footpaths are damaged beyond repair, encroached by potted plants, trees and vehicles, and generally just unwalkable."
Acknowledging a Broader Indian Urban Reality
Despite highlighting the glaring issues in a premium area, Friesen offered a sobering perspective on the wider context of Indian cities. He pointed out that Indiranagar at least has footpaths, which he termed a "huge step up" from many other localities in India's metropolitan areas where the concept of walking from one point to another is "borderline comedic."
Expressing a hope for future improvement, he concluded his message with a poignant note: "Our children deserve better." This sentiment resonated deeply with viewers who reacted to the shared reality of urban neglect.
Social Media Echoes Public Frustration
The video quickly amassed numerous reactions, with many users confirming that Friesen's experience was not an isolated incident but a daily reality. One user commented on the fear it invoked, saying, "This is so sad and scary… I couldn’t even watch the whole video." Another offered a stark reflection on habituation to decay: "I walk on these footpaths every day, but I’ve gotten so used to them that I barely notice anymore. Thanks for showing me a different perspective."
The comments also reflected anger and despair over civic apathy. A user cautioned, "Buddy, don’t walk please — you never know, you’d end up in a drainage pipe somewhere." Another stated bluntly, "This was so sad to watch. The government’s apathy towards its citizens and the future of the country is on full display. Hopelessness is what they’re leaving for the next generation."
The incident underscores a critical urban challenge for Bengaluru: maintaining basic pedestrian safety and infrastructure in the face of rapid, often unplanned growth. It raises urgent questions about civic accountability and the livability of a city that continues to attract a global workforce while struggling with fundamental amenities.
