Carlton Towers tragedy: Is your building or business, fire-safety ready?

Carlton Towers tragedy: Is your building or business, fire-safety ready? 1

By Anuksha Dey Based on suggestions by citizens, the state government declared February 23 as a Fire Safety & Awareness Day. On this day, the fire department conducts a fire safety workshop every year to remember the fire tragedy that engulfed Carlton Towers on Old Airport Road in the city 11 years ago. This year … Read more

Citizens oppose strike by private schools

Citizens oppose strike by private schools 2

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 3

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

BWSSB’s shoddy work: Untreated water from STP enters Agara Lake

water crisis in Bengaluru

By Anuksha Dey Untreated water has been seeping into Agara lake from Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s (BWSSB) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Sector 4, HSR Layout. The lake supports rich biodiversity of fish, birds, and reptiles. Oil and other waste materials in the sewage have left a stink in the water body. It … Read more

Bus Priority Lane: BMTC driver caught flouting the rule

Bus Priority Lane: BMTC driver caught flouting the rule 5

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

HSR Layout residents complain about noise pollution from restaurants 

HSR Layout residents complain about noise pollution from restaurants  6

By Anuksha Dey Residents of Sector 4 in HSR Layout are putting up with noise pollution caused by restaurants located near their houses. Despite complaints from them, no proper action has been taken by the authorities so far. Restaurants are allowed to stay open till 1am. Loud music, celebrations, and use of industrial equipment late … Read more

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 7

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 9

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