Children skating on the busy Janpath, guardians playing a game or two of badminton, while others stretching and bending on the road, all without caring about the traffic. All these sound unbelievable, but true. 

It was a Sunday that will be etched in the history of Odisha when one of the busiest roads in the state heaved a sigh of relief. 

After missing three dates in the past two months, Bhubaneswar finally observed Raahgiri Day today when a thousand residents gathered in the morning to enjoy their Sunday on a vehicle-free road from Master Canteen Square to Ram Mandir Square. 

An initiative planned by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and supported by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the aim was to bar the entry of motor vehicles and promote walking and cycling in the neighbourhood to observe Raahgiri on all Sundays.

From 6.30am to 10.30am, the stretch was taken over by cyclists, skaters and pedestrians. The street was bustling with people of all age groups engaging themselves in various activities.  

“We were waiting for the launch of the event. I had not expected this to happen in reality, but what I saw is beyond my imagination,” said Babita Mohanty, a resident of Unit IX.

With no traffic around, parents let the kids have the ball of the lives. One could spot eight-year-olds playing badminton with elderly people or boys enjoying sepak takraw or even flying kite. Skaters displayed skills, even as many youths hit the street with their cycles. 

While four rock bands from KIIT and ITER colleges entertained the crowd from one end of the road, a live classical music performance by artistes from Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya kept the residents hooked from the other side.
The Bakul Foundation also held storytelling sessions for children.

Culture minister Ashok Panda and mayor Ananta Narayan Jena were pitted against each other as they played cricket on the road. Actress Nandita Das also tried her hands at the game and lauded the rock bands as well as skaters. 

“This initiative deserves appreciation since it will help make a better city for future generation, including my son,” the actress said.

Yoga dominated a big part of the Raahgiri stretch with groups stretching and bending on the road. 

“The weather is pleasant, so, we do not need a shade,” said yoga teacher Smrutishekhar Sahoo, who usually teaches yoga at Forest Park. Schoolchildren where also seen performing physical training and yoga.

Minister Panda and actor-turned-MLA Akash Das Nayak flagged off a mini-cyclothon at the Nehru Ground. The participants included actor-turned-politician Siddhanta Mahapatra , actor Samaresh, former cricketer Satyaranjan Satpathy and even police commissioner R.P. Sharma. 

Those who walked down the stretch were chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, additional secretary and development commissioner R Balakrishnan and also MLA Priyadarshi Mishra. 

BDA vice-chairman Krishan Kumar was also among the walkers. He said the residents have responded very positively to the initiative and more stretches will be used for the purpose. 

“However, for that we have to first redesign our roads and have more cycle tracks and footpaths across the city,” said Kumar.

BMC’s U-turn 

Originally planned to be held between Vani Vihar and Master Canteen, a five-kilometre-stretch, Raahgiri was finally squeezed into a 750-metre show between Ram Mandir and Master Canteen Square as the organisers, who were doing it for the first time, were wary about the response. Participants, such as cyclist Narayan Moharana felt cooped up. “The initiative is good. 

But, it should have been held covering a bigger area. Cycling on a small stretch of 750 metres is not enjoyable,” he said.

Train trouble 

If Raahgiri inconvenienced anyone, it was those bound for Bhubaneswar railway station or coming out of it. As the stretch from Master Canteen to Ram Mandir remained out of bounds between 6.30am and 10.30am, railway passengers had to take alternative routes. Many got tense as reaching the station through alternative routes took time. “The event should have been held at a place that did not come in the way of others. I had to board the Balangir Intercity Express at 6.45am. After I found a part of Janpath blocked, I had to take an alternative route. In the end, I missed the train,” said Suramya Mishra, a student of the College of Engineering and Technology.

Lost bicycles

The civic body was caught off guard after nine bicycles, which were given to the people to ride during Raahgiri, were stolen. A PSU gave the civic body 100 bicycles for use during Raahgiri. The cycles were given for use after noting down the names and contact numbers of the users. But at the end, BMC realised that nine cycles were missing. When the civic officials tried to call up the contact numbers of the users, they appeared fake. “The cycles were provided to popularise non-motorised mode of transport. We did not ask for official identity proofs such as voter cards before handing over the cycles. We will seek the help of police to get back the cycles,” said an official of the municipal corporation.

Breakfast pangs

Though the municipal corporation had asked all the shopkeepers along the road connecting Ram Mandir Square and Master Canteen Square to keep their shops open during Raahgiri, most remained closed. Participants were forced to walk a long way for breakfast. Officials of the civic body said they would repeat the plea when the event is held again.

Busy mayor

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena (see picture) was one of the busiest persons during Raahgiri. He gave Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani a ride on his bicycle and took out time to chat with the participants. He also displayed his cricketing skills. Jena also took yoga tips from Patasani and advised youths to practise the art.

Compiled by Lelin Mallick and Sandeep Mishra

Roads in Bhubaneswar are better than those in Delhi, where I come from. Raahgiri is a noble initiative, but it should be expanded in terms of both space and frequency 

Alka Gupta cyclist

This is a glorious sight to see. I have never seen so many activities, such as painting, skating, cycling 
and more, going on at one place. I am very excited 

Manisha Naik class-VI student

Raahgiri is a great initiative, especially for the cyclists. But, the city needs well-maintained cycle tracks. I cycle a lot because it keeps me fit, helps the environment and saves fuel and money 

Siddhanta Mahapatra actor-turned-politician

We couldn't believe that Raahgiri would be this successful in Bhubaneswar. The stretch of Janpath turned into a little heaven. The initiative was a blessing for pedestrians and cyclists 

Babita Mohanty resident