India, Oct. 28 -- A black-and-white photograph of Bengaluru's JC Road from the 1960s has gone viral on social media platform X. The image captures JC Road as almost unrecognizable - clean, wide and completely devoid of motor traffic or potholes. The road, now one of Bengaluru's busiest commercial stretches, was once a calm and orderly route dominated by cyclists and pedestrians.

The post, shared on X by the account Karnataka Portfolio, describes how, during that period, bicycle licenses were mandatory in the city. Corporation inspectors would make routine checks, ensuring each cycle had a valid aluminum license plate and a functioning headlamp powered by a dynamo. The license, costing around Rs.2 to Rs.3 annually, was issued by the city ...