'Tinder For Footpaths': 14-Year-Old Bengaluru Boy Creates An App To Improve Pedestrian Safety, Internet Reacts

Last Updated:May 20, 2026, 18:40 IST

RASTHE 'Tinder for footpaths'- swipe, report, and upvote broken walkways. Built for people, it makes roads safer, eases Bengaluru traffic, and turns citizens into city sensors

Bengaluru is well known for its traffic jams, where cars, bikes, and buses often remain stuck for long hours. While many people think the main reason is too many vehicles, another issue is often ignored: broken or missing footpaths. Without safe walkways, people are forced to walk on the road, which slows vehicles, creates confusion, and adds to the congestion. This everyday problem quietly makes the city’s traffic jams even worse.

Surya Uthkarsha, a 14‑year‑old from Bengaluru, shared a video on X showing “RASTHE," a mobile app that lets people report damaged footpaths directly to BBMP. A platform that lets citizens swipe, report, and upvote broken footpaths. His vision is simple: if roads are built for cars, then footpaths must be built for people.

The best part is that everyone becomes a sensor for the city. Thousands of people can share updates in real time. This gives the government clear data on where repairs are needed most.

RASTHE is built for people, not cars. By fixing footpaths, pedestrians stay off busy roads. This reduces congestion, improves safety, and makes Bengaluru more walkable. Well-built footpaths mean healthy walks, safe routes for kids, and easy access for seniors and differently abled people.

In just 30 minutes, RASTHE shows how Bengaluru’s traffic problem can be reduced by focusing on people first. Roads may be designed for vehicles, but cities grow stronger when they are designed for humans. Fixing footpaths is not just about walking; it is about fixing traffic, too.

People reacted with a mix of frustration and excitement. One said, “Will be surely happy to see this, entire BLR need a fix." Another added, “People are just building apps, who is going to fix the issues raised? I have seen a dozen till date, nothing has made an impact." A sharper voice demanded, “Please stop creating more unnecessary apps. Someone has to grab BBMP by the balls for any change to happen to the infra in Bangalore."

Yet, hope also showed up with, “Is there a platform where someone genuinely will take action against footpath riders?" And finally, one summed it up with pure excitement: “Omg excitingggg, just what we needed!!"

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