By News18
An old picture of Bengaluru city, seemingly capturing the MG Road-Brigade Road stretch, has the internet’s attention. The photo has left people divided, stirring both nostalgia and frustration among the residents. Shared on the X handle of India History Pic, the post includes a caption that reads, “1980s: Street Scene, Bangalore,” showcasing the once clean and spacious area, which has now turned into a bustling commercial zone.
The picture shows a less busy road, with a few vehicles plying on both sides. A few buildings are also visible in the frame.
1980s :: Street Scene, Bangalore pic.twitter.com/uxGV8Q4sId
— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) July 4, 2025
In reaction, a user emphasised how 80s Bengaluru looked much cleaner than today, further adding that the city has no civic sense. “80s Bangalore looks 100x cleaner than today. Literacy increased, but not civic sense. We are growing backwards,” the comment read. Another user added, “The boulevard on the left was torn down to make way for the Bangalore Namma Metro on the order of the then CM. What a shame!! Bengaluru doesn’t look any better or beautiful even in 2025.”
A few nostalgic residents added comments like “I still remember similar times” and “The Bengaluru we grew up in.” Since being shared, the photo has amassed over 8,000 views.
Another picture of Bengaluru from the 1950s went viral in March this year. Featuring a parking area at Bengaluru’s MG Road, the black-and-white image showcased the time when the city was occupied by classic automobiles and cycle rickshaws. “1950: Car Parking On M.G. Road, Bangalore,” the caption read.
1950 :: Car Parking On M.G Road , Bangalore
( Photo – @DeccanHerald ) pic.twitter.com/MFEK898zcb
— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) March 14, 2025
The resurfacing of the pictures has reignited the conversation about Bengaluru’s transformation, especially its infrastructure and swift urban development. Housing the IT service industry and a modern business hub with startups, GCCs, and financial services, Bengaluru is counted as an urban centre. The shortcoming? It is largely affected by the infrastructure shortcomings.
Rapid growth in Bengaluru has strained its infrastructure, resulting in frequent flooding. According to the Indian Institute of Science, the city has lost 88 per cent of its green cover over the past four decades, with concrete area increasing elevenfold. Further, construction on former lake sites has worsened the situation.