There’s been a heated online debate after a post by a woman on social media which raised very serious concerns about the safety of the outskirts of Bengaluru after dark. The woman, whose username is @theyappergirlie, posted a video documenting her "terrifying" experience returning from the gym at 9 PM, beginning a discussion on the city's rapid expansion versus its infrastructure.
The "Silent and Dark" Experience
The viral video, uploaded yesterday, shows the woman walking through a poorly lit stretch on the outskirts of Bengaluru. She expressed shock and anxiety at the area, describing it as ‘eerie’ and unsafe for female pedestrians.
“I just want to get away from this place so badly. It is silent, dark, and has no streetlights. As a girl, if you want to come to the outskirts, please think twice. The city side is nice, but the outskirts? No,” she cautioned in the clip.
The central parts of Bengaluru are well-lit and bustling, but the outer side of the city has many new residential layouts and tech hubs; they do not yet have basic safety infrastructure such as working street lighting or police patrol, she highlighted.
Social Media Divided: Concern vs. Criticism
The post swiftly got more than 500,000 views, creating a split in the city’s citizens:
The Supporters: Many users agreed with her fears, noting that even in the daytime certain outskirts feel desolate. One user said, “Keep your camera on when passing those areas; it can be dangerous even in the daytime.” Others noted that the fast real estate growth in places like Sarjapur, Varthur and beyond Electronic City has not been coupled with necessary civic amenities.
The Critics
On the flip side, residents and "Bengaluru loyalists" charged the woman with defaming the city. One commenter who said he had lived in the city for 13 years said: “I moved to the outskirts last year and it’s amazing. Stop complaining and attempt to adapt. If you feel unsafe carry pepper spray, but don’t ruin the city’s reputation.”
The Middle Ground
A few netizens were saying that safety is relative to the people, and even if Bengaluru still feels like one of India’s safest cities, it’s not a one-size-fits-all measure, that local authorities (BBMP and BMRDA) need to light up "black spots" if they want to prevent crime.
The "Silicon Valley" and Safety
This comes after several reports of late-night safety issues in Bengaluru last month, which include incidents with app-based aggregators and lone commuters. Though international visitors have at times commended the city on its safety, this video became one of those viral clips that reminded observers of the “infrastructure gap” in the city’s growing peripheries.
The Bengaluru City Police have been regularly promoting the Namma-112 app so that citizens, both resident in and also traveling through isolated places, have the capacity to track and call for location or support instantly.
