When residents roamed the road in gay abandon

It was a weekend when they did not have to travel far to get some fresh air. For, a traffic-free Sadashivanagar is what the residents were privileged to enjoy on Sunday.

People from all walks of life participated in good numbers in the ‘open street cycle day’ that was organised on Jeevaraj Alva Road by the Sadashivanagar Residents’ Welfare Association, in association with the regional transport office (RTO).

As part of the initiative, the road was made traffic-free from 8 am onwards. Sumangala, the Aramanenagar ward corporator, inaugurated the event. Children also performed yoga and aerobics as part of the event. 

Expressing joy about the initiative, Priyanka, a software professional, said that it comes as a great relief to see a road free of traffic.

“My entire family is here. Even my children are happy,” she said. The Directorate of Urban Land Transport had made arrangements for free bicycles for the event. While a handful of them had cycles of their own, the others chose to pick one of the free bicycles.

Children who had the road for themselves on the weekend played chess, carrom and traditional games such as ‘kavade,’ ‘kuntebille,’ ‘pagade’ and ‘alaguli mane’. Tonga rides and pottery were also part of the event.

“Today’s children do not know much about traditional games. By having such events, we can familiarise them with these games,” said Murali, a resident of Malleswaram.

The event also served as a platform to create awareness about waste segregation. NGO Swacchagraha educated the residents about the need for waste segregation.