Citizens oppose strike by private schools

Citizens oppose strike by private schools 1

By Anuksha Dey The parents have slammed private schools in Bengaluru for going on a strike yesterday (Feb 23) to protest against a 30% fee cut ordered by the state government. The schools claim that only 70% of the current school fees is not enough for payment of staff and maintenance of the school property. … Read more

Cubbon Park: Four ways to make it more citizen-friendly

Cubbon Park: Four ways to make it more citizen-friendly 2

By Anuksha Dey Located at the heart of Bengaluru, Cubbon Park is one of the city’s largest lung spaces. The park, set up in 1870 stretches over 300 acres. Naturally, it has become a hot spot for fitness enthusiasts and a meeting ground for performance arts and social welfare groups. However, the infrastructure here is … Read more

Bus Priority Lane: BMTC driver caught flouting the rule

Bus Priority Lane: BMTC driver caught flouting the rule 4

By Qamar ZJ While there is much hue and cry over empty bus priority lanes (BPL) adding to the congestion on the rest of the road, one BMTC driver was found using the non-BPL lane. When one resident tweeted about it yesterday, BMTC promised to take prompt action.  Yesterday, Sreekanth M found an empty BPL … Read more

Bescom’s transformer rods continue to endanger citizens 6 years after redesign

Bescom's transformer rods continue to endanger citizens 6 years after redesign 5

By Anuksha Dey Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) reportedly came up with a design solution to make its transformers safer. They raised the height of the switches in 2015. However, many of these handles continue to inconvenience pedestrians to date.  What are transformers? Distribution transformers are essential electrical equipment, they convert high voltage electricity … Read more

Go on birdwatching walks this Valentine’s weekend

northern shoveler

By Anuksha Dey Bird Count India is organising a weekend full of birding adventures on February 13 and 14. Birdwatching walks are organised across lakes in Bengaluru as part of the global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2021. The walks are open to all and free for participants. This is a great time of the … Read more

Parking vehicle on footpath? Cops will fine you Rs 1000

footpath parking

By Aratrika Dey & Qamar ZJ The next time you park your vehicle on the footpath, the Bengaluru Traffic Police will fine you Rs 1000 for encroaching pedestrian territory. This fine applies to the riders of two-wheelers and drivers of four-wheelers as there is no differential pricing. Before 2019, the fee stood at Rs 100, … Read more

Opinion: How about applying Delhi power supply model for efficient city bus services?

bmtc buses

By Muralidhar Rao There were old estimates that the city needed far more buses than the BMTC was operating, and it was also known that the need was being partially met by private operators. But, nobody knew that between the private operators and the schools, there were over six-times the numbers operated by BMTC. Kudos … Read more

Citizens complain about lack of Metro connectivity to upcoming Visvesvaraya rail terminal

visvesvaraya rail terminal

By Aratrika Dey Close to the inauguration date of the much-anticipated railway terminal at Baiyappanahalli, the residents are worried about Metro connectivity issues. After missing several deadlines due to varied reasons, the station named Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru (after Karnataka’s eminent engineer) was initially set to be launched on February 15, 2021. However, the … Read more

Why are residents opposed to a tree park in Turahalli forest?

turahalli forest

By Anuksha Dey Turahalli forest off Kanakapura Road is one of Bengaluru’s last surviving natural forests. Home to the spotted deer, porcupine, and peacock, this 600-acre land is a sanctuary for its unique flora and fauna. While there is a 28-acre under-utilised tree park, the government is now planning to convert 400-acres of the forest … Read more

Empty Bus Lanes add to traffic congestion!

priority bus lane

By Aratrika Dey Citizens a concern over bus priority lanes going empty, while contending that the current system has reduced the road capacity for regular traffic, resulting in heavy congestion. Special mention is made about the stretch from Outer Ring Road to Marathahalli. “For bus connectivity, frequency is critical. Unless a mobility plan with a … Read more

Sparsha stopped 174 child marriages in last nine months!

sparsha

By Anuksha Dey Sparsha Trust, a 16-year-old NGO which started out as a shelter for five children in a small shed near the Bangalore airport, has stopped 174 child marriages between April 2020 and January 2021. The organisation, which has received the Best NGO award from the state government of Karnataka on two occasions, works … Read more