Restaurant encroaches footpath in HSR Layout; authorities take action

silbatti

By Anuksha Dey Silbatti, a restaurant on 19th Main in HSR Layout, built a tin shed on the footpath. Upset residents took to social media, prompting the authorities to take some action. Based on their pressure, the restaurant proprietor reduced the size of the shed from 5-feet to 2-feet (width). However, part of the structure … 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 1

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

Horamavu gets motorable roads after 3-year wait

Horamavu gets motorable roads after 3-year wait 3

By Anuksha Dey Residents of Horamavu near Banaswadi and KR Puram are finally getting asphalted roads from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) after waiting for over three years. The streets were dug up by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for laying water pipelines in April 2017. An additional 60 kms of roads … 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

Children cannot play in HSR Layout police station anymore

hsr layout police station

By Aratrika Dey Back in September 2019, under the suggestion of IPS officer Isha Pant, thirteen police stations were set to get ‘child play areas’ inside their buildings. The first police station to set up such a facility in the city was the HSR Layout police station. However, it is also the first one to … Read more

FASTag will be implemented on Nice Road from Feb 14

nice road

By Qamar ZJ Come February 14, and you can zip past the toll gates of NICE Road as well. The FASTag will be activated by then, and all will be smooth sailing for users of four-wheelers. For over a year, Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE) had its own toll collection system that only a few … 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

India’s only wildlife arena under flyover completes one year

wildlife arena

By Anuksha Dey What better way to celebrate Karnataka’s rich indigenous wildlife than through an art form as integral to its heritage as the rangoli. The Ugly Indian, an anonymous group of volunteers engaged in beautifying Bengaluru, has planned a day full of creativity and art on February 6 (Saturday) at Veerannapalya to commemorate the … 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