Bengaluru: It’s Open Streets on M G Road (OMG) on Sunday. The stretch between Anil Kumble Circle and Brigade Road Junction will be closed for movement of traffic starting from 9 a.m and 9 p.m. on Sunday, opening the street for festivities that celebrate the city of Bengaluru in all its traffic-free glory.
Various activities have been organised to create awareness in the general public about the benefits of using public transport, cycling, walking which are sustainable modes of transport, and the positive effect it has on their lives and the overall health of the city.
Open Streets will be host to a series of engaging activities and experiences, crafted keeping in mind people of all ages and lifestyles. The one of a kind event, aimed at bringing the city together towards the cause of a traffic free Bengaluru, will see the likes of musicians, artists and variety acts coming together to entertain people.
There will be pro skateboarders showing off their high flying moves, mime acts, stilt walkers, street magicians, and caricature artists engaging the audience on the open street. Programmes ranging from drum-jams to stand-up comedies have been organised.
There will be a drum jam by Vasundhara Das, Piano Accordion, Hindustani vocal music by Ustad Hussain, story telling, threatre acts and stand-up comedy acts. There will be showcasing of a dance act by Sai School of Arts, along with other Karaoke, Hip-Hop acts. There will also be a break dance by Black Ice Crew, the organisers said. Street activities like archery and zip-lining will also be held. Surprise guests are also expected at the venue.
There will be a variety of stalls selling curated handmade art and craft products designed by local crafts-persons, as well as other best-selling products that appeal to the shopper of today, like the famous Channapatna wooden toys. A flea market will also feature in this edition of Open Streets. There will be food trucks and hawkers serving delicacies from all over the country and cuisines of the world stationed across the venue.
BMTC and BMRCL will extend their bus and metro services respectively on Sunday to encourage people to use public transport when commuting to the event. Special arrangements for free and secure parking for bicycles will also be made around the venue. While BMTC will be operating special feeder bus services from Banashankari bus depot and Vijayangar bus depot towards M.G. Road, the BMRCL Metro train services have extended their operations until 11 p.m. on Sunday night to help commuters reach their homes.
“Feeder bus services are available from Koramangala bus depot to Indira Nagar metro station from where the commuters can take a metro train to reach the venue at M.G. Road making it an integrated service,” said an organiser. “Limited and charged parking facilities have been arranged at the RBANMS Grounds and Shivajinagar bus depot,” one of the organizers added. We are expecting a floating population of around 4,000 to 5,000. Provisions have been made for medical and other emergencies like ambulances and fire-tenders. Arrangements have been made for toilets, said an organiser.
“OMG aims to revive the long-lost charm of the Boulevard of Bengaluru city. It’s free for all events and everyone is invited. Come and enjoy the traffic-free ambience and the fun one could have on a stretch of a prominent street where artists and artisans across the state would showcase what they have for us,” V. Manjula, IAS, Principal Secretary IT-BT and Commissioner Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT).
Reward
For people who come by bus, there will be special lucky draw wherein they have to write their name and phone numbers behind their respective bus ticket and put them for a lucky draw. The prizes will be for 100 people - 50 gift coupons worth Rs. 500 and 50 special commemorative cards granted by metro which will be 3D cards pre-loaded with a currency of Rs 500 to travel in metro, and the gift coupons can be redeemed at the stalls in the stretch of the street, this is to encourage usage of public transport, an organiser said.
Want to showcase your talent?
Organisers have invited all artistes (performance arts & visual) from around Bengaluru to showcase their talent at Open Streets in these categories.
Visual Art: Painting, sculpture, installations, or any other unique art form.
Performing arts: Music, dance, theatre, story telling, puppetry, or any other unique art form.
