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

Is the Cycle Lane design practical, ask citizens

cycle lane

By Anuksha Dey Within a week after the cycle lane on Race Course Road was inaugurated, questions about the design of the cycle track raise concerns for pedestrians as well as activists. Citizens also take to social media about construction work in other parts of the city.  Bengaluru’s Smart City Project The cycling track is … Read more

Frequent mobile phone thefts bother HSR Layout residents

mobile phone thefts

By Aratrika Dey The seventh installation of the Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows saw the introduction of the ‘Snatchers’ (an organization of bounty hunters) who were essentially tasked with ‘snatching’ people. In and around HSR Layout, similar snatchers have started popping up recently; the only difference is that they snatch away … 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

Bangalore’s air quality is poor; avoid the outdoors!

Bengaluru air quality

By Anuksha Dey Bengaluru’s Air Quality has been exceptionally poor since Thursday. The air quality index (AQI) lay between 100 and 163 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. According to a study published by The National Center for Biotechnology Information in the US, it is best to avoid outdoor activities as well as any strenuous activity … Read more

Residents petition authorities to save millennia-old lake in Whitefield 

save pattanduru agrahara lake

By Aratrika Dey Resident-led civil rights group Namma Whitefield has filed an online petition to the Apex Committee on Lakes besides asking for help from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner and the Karnataka Chief Minister. They want the authorities to kick start the rejuvenation process of Pattandur Agrahara Lake and free it from the … Read more