BBMP promises compensation to victims of bad infrastructure; Twitterati responds 

bbmp notice

By Aratrika Dey On December 1, the BBMP published a public notification in the papers, promising to  compensate citizens injured due to bad roads or footpaths with a payment of Rs 15,000. In case of death, the family of the victim will be paid Rs 3 lakhs by the BBMP, while minor injuries will merit … Read more

Shocking First Person Account: RTO giving permanent driving licences without proper testing!

RTO

By Ruchika S We have an expose by a 21-year-old communications student in Bengaluru about the corrupt ways of the Koramangala Regional Transport Office (RTO). She applied for a permanent driving licence through her driving school, and found that the RTO officials were granting the permits without proper tests. Here is her first person account … Read more

Know your neighbour: She runs Bengaluru’s only natural birth and midwifery care centre

chetana kulkarni

By Zahid H Javali Chetana Kulkarni (39), the co-founder of The Birth Home in JP Nagar, is on a mission. The resident of Indiranagar believes in natural birth and family-centred care to be her life’s focus. Though qualified as an engineer, midwifery has become her life’s calling in the last 15 months in Bengaluru.  While … Read more

70% drop in active COVID-19 cases in HSR Layout, but authorities advise caution

covid-19

By Chandrima Mazumdar & Qamar ZJ The end of the year seems to bring good news for the residents of HSR Layout. There was a 70% drop in active COVID-19 cases from October to November. While the statistics are impressive, authorities are advising caution and no undue celebration just yet. According to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara … Read more

Whitefield gets a digital public library after a 10-year wait!

public digital library

Videos courtesy: Anjali Saini By Qamar ZJ & Aratrika Dey At a time when everybody is struggling to get past the gloom of the pandemic, here comes some good news. Whitefield gets its own digital public library after a ten-year wait. This book-full of wonder is situated in Thubarahalli, Mahadevapura Zone, Whitefield. It should not … Read more

RTI: How to make public sector banks answerable to you

RTI

By Aratrika Dey The right to information should be a fundamental right of every citizen. Given the lack of transparency from the public sector banks in the country, the citizens need to know how to file an RTI (Right to Information) application. Banks serve as a part of the foundation of any economy. But much … Read more

‘Smart Cities Mission’ is anti-poor, non-inclusive, and against the constitutional mandate: Experts

smart cities mission

By Qamar ZJ & Chandrima Mazumdar While the 2015 idea of ‘100 Smart Cities Mission’ promised improved standards of living, the reality is that it has forced many people into poverty. Instead of acting as a role model for the tier 2 and tier 3 cities, the governance and financial implications of this urban renewal … Read more

Blood donation camps: Should you donate during the pandemic?

blood donation

By Aratrika Dey Hospitals are overburdened with patients and cannot admit more due to the lack of beds and shortage of medical personnel. Blood banks are facing an acute shortage of blood units. The demand for treatment has increased, while the number of blood donors has decreased, due to the fear of virus transmission. No … Read more

After many road accidents and public pressure, Iblur skywalk is finally ready!

iblur skywalk

By Chandrima Mazumdar After more than two years of accidents and protests at the Iblur junction, a skywalk is finally ready for use by the public. Amid the pandemic, this is indeed great news for the residents and office goers in Bellandur and surrounding areas. Bellandur Jothege (BJ), a people’s organisation, was one of the … Read more

BBMP should take urgent steps to protect revived lakes around HSR Layout  

somasundrapalya lake

By Kavitha Reddy                              I have written a letter to the BBMP administrator about my concerns related to Agara Lake, Somasundrapalya Lake and Mangammanapalya Lake in Ward 174 & 190 of Bommanahalli constituency. Agara Lake, post the Government notification few Lakes which were … Read more

Koramangala records the lowest active COVID-19 cases, and zero deaths

koramangala covid-19

By Chandrima Mazumdar (Updated on Dec 3): Koramangala recorded a record low of 61 active COVID-19 cases from November 5 to 21. Amid the pandemic, the efforts of BBMP and citizens seem to have been rewarded with the number of active cases dropping from 424 in October to 162 in November (updated after this story … Read more

Citizens oppose Yelahanka ‘signal-free corridor’ plan; find it highly pedestrian-unfriendly 

pedestrians

By Aratrika Dey The BBMP has proposed a plan to build a 1.6 kilometer-long integrated flyover for the junction near the Yelahanka police station. However, it provides a solution only for the vehicle users on the busy stretch. The citizens are miffed that there is no initiative to aid the pedestrians. Bengaluru has a big … Read more