This is the traffic you can encounter at the 5th Main-Mangammanapalya Main Road junction at 7pm. Strangely, this junction is manned by the cops from Electronic City. “We have to come 10 kilometres away from our station to manage the traffic here,” complained one cop.
When we checked with HSR traffic police on that day, we were informed that they were sent 10 kilometres away to Freedom Park for some traffic bandobast. Clearly, the jurisdiction of cops can be anywhere but where they should be. No wonder, you hardly find a few cops in HSR Layout. Will the higher ups ensure that the cops given to one station are used optimally for the area they are to manage? No wonder, there is so much chaos in HSR Layout when the cops are doing duty elsewhere.
And when residents do see them on the streets, they are busy collecting fines when they should be removing footpath encroachments, fixing broken dividers and streamlining traffic movement at busy junctions.
BORDER AREAS OF HSR LAYOUT
Indeed, this was not the scenario only on this day. The border areas of HSR Layout are regularly managed by traffic cops from Electronic City. We are talking about the Somasundrapalya Main Road junction and 5th Main junction of HSR Layout.
The problem is shortage of staff. The remedy? They hop from one junction to the other to ease the traffic flow during peak hours. We spotted them at the 5th Main-MG Palya junction between 6.30pm-8.30pm.
When we pressed them to also look at the jam at the MG Palya-HSR Layout junction, the cops said that they are short of staff, and they would rather tackle the bigger bottlenecks of Somasundrapalya Main Road and 5th Main junction near Salarpuria apartments. In addition, they said that the narrow stretch of road that meets MG Palya Road is the biggest problem. “Even a single four wheeler cannot take a U-turn here without obstructing traffic for a long time. The problem is with the curvature and width of the road itself,” said one cop manning the 5th Main junction.
The biggest complaint from the cops is that the users are always in a hurry and don’t listen to them on many occasions. “The tanker drivers are the biggest culprits. Many people keep dying regularly because of such persons. They drive fast even on roads that demand slow-moving traffic.”
JURISDICTIONAL CHAOS
While all the sectors of HSR Layout are managed by the crime branch of HSR Layout in a clear-cut fashion, the traffic police, however, had a stranger problem earlier. Sectors 6 & 7 were managed by the Madiwala cops. Later, it was streamlined to include all the sectors of HSR Layout. Similarly, the Bandepalya Police Station is in Sector 3 of HSR Layout, as they did not find a convenient place in their own jurisdiction, or so they claim. Similarly, the entire stretch of MG Palya Road, from Somasundrapalya Road junction to Hosur Road junction is managed by the Electronic City traffic cops, while Iblur is managed by the HSR cops.
The sub station of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) was on fire between 6.30pm and 8pm yesterday. Coincidentally, when we uploaded a story yesterday about how the Bangalore Electric Supply Company (Bescom) is coming under fire from the residents for outages and fluctuations that have damaged electronic equipment, one resident pointed out that the actual power sub station on 27th Main could actually be on fire.
At 12.30pm, Krishna Kumar Puravoor reacted to our story in a WhatsApp group saying, “I am seeing a considerable amount of dry grass in the KPTCL compound which is highly inflammable in the light of recent fire incidents. They should clear those grass lands.” Six hours later, the compound was actually on fire due to the dry grass getting ignited by what some Bescom officials suspect could be a cigarette butt. No less than Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Isha Pant rushed to the spot and asked the concerned authorities to ensure that the fire does not happen again. She has asked Bescom and BBMP to clear the compound of any other impediments that could cause a fire in the future.
It is to be recalled that during the time of Diwali, on the night of November 7, this same portion had caught fire. However, it was controlled as soon as alert residents called up the authorities and alerted them about the fire. Clearly, the KPTCL authorities had not learnt any lesson from this and it happened again. Therefore, this time around, the cops are writing a letter to the BBMP Joint Commissioner to ensure that grass is regularly cut to prevent any more fire breakouts. Better late than never.
The sparking and buzzing/hissing sounds in the new transformers of the Bangalore Electric Supply Company (Bescom) across HSR Layout has become an everday affair. When you ask the officials, they use all the technical words to confuse you no end. All the residents want to know is when will this nightmare end.
Complaints against Bescom’s frequent power shutdowns, fluctuations and damage of equipment is becoming all too common in HSR Layout. Despite raising this issue many times with the authorities, the resident welfare associations have nowhere else to turn for a proper remedy to this problem.
Watch the video above to know how one such transformer behaved in Sector 6 on 9th Main. Only after this video went viral on our channel a few months ago did the Bescom wake up to it and fix this. However, they have not learnt their lessons. There are still many cases that keep cropping up all the time. Whenever there is sparking in the transformers, there are voltage fluctuations at homes and offices across HSR Layout. And this has already resulted in damage of electronic equipment in the neighbourhood, and we have written about them whenever some glaring cases have come to our notice.
Sector 4 resident Fazal Khalil says this is a perennail problem with Bescom that was prevalent even when it was earlier known as the KEB (Karnatake Electricity Board). “I’m losing equipment and electronics ever since I shifted to HSR in 2003,” says Fazal. “I have spoken, written and shared my problems with everyone at Bescom. We need to fight this collectively, with the RWAs (Residents Welfare Association) in the lead.” This time around, due to the inconsistency in voltage around Sector 4, Fazal has lost his air conditioner and treadmill. “Thanks to the ever-incompetent Bescom and their even more incompetent staff, the common man continues to suffer,” he says.
Agrees K Sesha Kumar: “We have to come together and make a strong and joint documented submission to BESCOM Chief Engineer at HSR and escalate to the higher ups, and submit a monetary claim for the loss of equipment in our homes.”
Resident Suresh Bhaskaran advocates that the right equipment can prevent damages. “You need spike arrestors. Many times, it is not so much about high voltage as it is about high amperes of current which blows up equipment. Prevention is better. With all the huge construction machines, this can happen. I am a victim of it. Not once, but twice.”
https://youtu.be/c9xwVQx55TA
The BBMP contractor assigned to redo all the footpaths and drains in HSR Layout made a careless mistake a few months ago that will cost him lakhs of rupees. This video recording of the scene captures the story for you. Check it out.
Now, here is the back story. The contractor broke all the tiles laid over the stormwater drain by three shopkeepers on 27th Main Road in Sector 1. Before he realised that he was to only relay the tiles on the footpath and not on the stormwater drain, the damage was done. The tiles in front of three shops were completely removed and the new tiles were partially laid in front of one store, when the contractor realised his folly and stopped the work immediately.
The contractor did not touch the adjacent shop’s tiles as they were on an elevation. If he had done so, it would have costed him a lot more.
However, the damage is done and the contractor has no recourse but to repair it. “Whether it costs Rs 1 lakh or Rs 5 lakh, the contractor has to relay the tiles as BBMP is not going to give him any money for his mistake,” said a senior BBMP official to Residents Watch. Five months ago, P Panduranga, the BBMP contractor, informed Residents Watch that he would fix the tiles, but only after the BBMP clears all his bills. But till date, he claims that the BBMP has only partially cleared them. The wait was only getting longer, so the shopkeeper himself relaid the same tiles that were removed as he could not keep waiting for the BBMP to do its job. Though he was not able to fix the tiles as well they should be, it is still better than just red soil.
Will the contractor relay the tiles properly and will the BBMP do its job remains to be seen.
Resident S Srinivasan, who shot this footage next to the BDA flyover on the side of Sector 5 near Devi Eye Hospital, says that the entire stretch from the BDA junction on 14th Main to the point where the flyover lands on Outer Ring Road near Swathi restaurant, needs to be relaid. It’s not a pothole but a pot road.
“When it rains, the water collects over here, causing the road damage,” he reasons. “There is no more proper drainage system in the adjacent buildings and on the road. And at night, it’s also a vulnerable spot for mobile phone snatching.”
The bus and truck traffic has worsened the situation. “We installed an arch with the permission of the traffic police, to prevent larger vehicles from using the service road but those have been removed forcefully by some people and even the cops say they are helpless as it is next to the main Outer Ring Road,” says Srinivasan.
The good news is that the BBMP has already submitted the budget for relaying the road from Silk Board to Agara junction. Says civic activist Kavitha Reddy who is pressurising the government to grant funds soon. “We have requested the BBMP Special Commissioner Randeep for a clean up drive on the Agara Service Road, and two height baracades for both the service roads to restrict HTVs. The BBMP (Major roads) department has already confirmed that the road from Agara Flyover to Silk board will be taken up soon, and the area under the BDA flyover will be tiled, so we can use it for parking of two-wheelers. This should take 2-4 months.”
Air Force Station Yelahanka, Technical Area, BSF Campus, Yelahanka
₹600-1800
General Visitor, Entry Gate – Gate # 5. Access Zones – Exhibition area only: 9.30am to 5.30pm. Access rights is only upon security clearance and validation of Govt ID proof. Air Display Visitor (ADVA): Entry Gate – Gate # 8 – 9. Access Zones – ADVA Area ( Flying Display Area) – 10 am to 12 pm, 2 pm to 5 pm. Tickets: BookMyShow.com.
They are launching their cafe with a bang – Visit their resto-cafe and enjoy a night of comedy with Rupen Paul, Satish Perumal and others. Make your Sunday perfect with delectable food, strong coffee and endless humour! Enjoy Chef Specials and a wide range of brunch-worthy dishes with your friends in our relaxed and eclectic ambience! Enjoy 30% off on all their offerings.
Joke it off is the best way for you to close your weekend with upcoming comedians in Bangalore. Add a nice finishing touch to your weekend.
WORKSHOP
Calligraphy – The Art of Decorative Handwriting!
Sun, 24 Feb 3:00PM – 5:30PM
GreenBubbles Startup Services, No.L-165, Sri Gayathri complex, Near Bhagavathi Hospital, Service Road, Sector 6, HSR Layout
Rs 1200
Looking for decorating cards, labels or posters? Want to impress teachers or friends through handwriting? Wish to make your project attractive? Calligraphy art doesn’t need any artistic background. This workshop is accessible to anyone who can hold a pen.
SPORTS
Cycle ride to Nandi Hills
Sun, 24 Feb 5:30AM – 11:30AM
Renault Silk Board, 33/445/30/6B, 31/1, Rupena Agrahara, Hosur Road
Rs 349
100+ km / unsupported / medium speed (17 18 kmph) / group cycle rides. The rides are to different scenic locations on the outskirts of Bangalore and includes a vegetarian breakfast. Whom is twaah! 100 for? Cyclists who are 18 years and above, and looking forward to an endurance ride on Sunday mornings. Cyclists who have already ridden an endurance ride of 75-80 km’s at least once. Not advisable for beginner level riders / riders who’ve not finished at least a couple of 50 km + rides. Sunday rides, start at Silk Board (before 6:00 AM). Ride to get over in around 6 hours (around 12:00 AM). Book your tickets on eventshigh.com.
Cyclothon – HSR to Cubbon Park
Sun, 24 Feb 5:30AM – 11:00AM
Starting point: BDA Complex, HSR Layout
Free
The following places will be covered in addition to Cubbon Park: Bangalore Aquarium (2nd Largest Aquarium in India), Chinnaswami Cricket Stadium, Karnataka High Court, Tennis Stadium, Kanteerava Stadium, Attara Kacheri, Museum, and Seshadri Iyer memorial hall.
Spend quality time and refresh yourself from the city pollution. Cubbon Park is one of the best parks in India to spend half a day, enjoy nature, appreciate different plants (total of around 6000 plants/trees), and flowers, among others.
Joy of running
Sun, 24 Mar 5:30AM – 9:00AM
BBMP Grounds, Sector 2, HSR Layout
Rs 449 onwards
Forget everything and celebrate the ‘Joy of Running’ with like-minded people. Take your family and friends to join this fun event. Each participant gets a T shirt, Certificate, Medals and Breakfast after the run. There are two categories (3K and 5k), in each category for Men, Women and Kids. The winners will be awarded with trophies and shopping vouchers. Only kids above 12 years can participate.
The Agara Lake Protection and Management Society (ALPMS) has written to the authorities to shift the Road Transport Office (RTO) checks that happen on Agara Lake Service Road during the early mornings. Citing traffic jams and inconvenience to lake visitors, they want this removed from this vicinity also because of the alleged antisocial activity of the drivers who assemble out there the previous night itself.
“The citizens are facing serious issues due to the RTO fitness checks (FC) at the Agara Lake Service Road,” says Kavitha Reddy, the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Agara Lake Protection and Management Society, a citizen group that is monitoring the Agara Lake in coordination with the Forest Department. “Any public transport vehicles like lorries, buses or tempo travellers have to be checked before registration and re-registration to undertake these fitness checks.”
The key concerns of the residents are as follows: 1. The vehicle drivers come as early as 10 pm the previous day and indulge in anti-social activities causing security issues for the lake. The vehicle drivers urinate in public, causing not only a health/cleanliness concern but also offend women visitors at the lake. Due to heavy vehicles, the entire Service Road is full of potholes and garbage thrown all around. During traffic hours, due to FC vehicles, there are numerous traffic jams. The parking space meant for lake visitors is occupied or blocked by the FC vehicles.
“I have been interacting with the traffic police officials, and they too feel that the RTO FC has to be moved out to a different place,” says Reddy. “Safety, security and wellbeing of the citizens is paramount, so we request the Joint Commissioner of Traffic and the Transport Department to intervene in this matter to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to relocate the RTO FC from the Agara Lake Service Road at the earliest.”
‘WILL MOVE IN MAY’
After many requests for over five months, the Transport Department has finally listened to the concerns of residents. They are promising to move in the next two months. “They have identified a couple of places and promised to shift out of here by the first week of May,” says Kavitha Reddy of ALPMS. “They understand our concerns for traffic congestion, safety and cleanliness and are in favour of this move too.”
For some evidence of the chaos right now, you can click HERE.
It is always a work in progress at the Swabhimaana Tree Park on 15th B Main, 19th Cross, Sector 3. With the contractors dumping debris all around the park, particularly on 15th B Main, there is little space to park vehicles for both the residents and visitors to the lung space.
In addition, there is air pollution all around. Enough sand needs to be laid in the kids play area to bury the red mud underneath that is causing more pollution. The entrance to the park resembles a swimming pool when it rains. That needs to be plugged with a proper drainage system connecting the road and the stormwater drain.
The drain outlets of the park need to be fixed as they are right now directly discharging water on to the roads and footpaths instead of going into the stormwater drains. In addition, there should be a silt and dust filter in the park’s drains before the water enters the stormwater drains.
They have done it in Haralakunte Government School in Sector 3 and intend to do it in other institutions across HSR Layout and beyond. To date, they have built over 50 playgrounds across India. Watch this video to know more about how they are changing the landscape of education across the country, literally! Welcome to the young and energetic team of Bangalore-based Anthill Creations.
At QuestMath International, ‘Every child is different’. Their approach recognises that each student is different and therefore, the content and instructor interaction has to be completely personalised and dynamic so that the student progresses at a rate that best suits them. It focuses on mastering how to think, how to reason, and how to go about solving problems.
QuestMath International is a Singapore-based K-8 education company that offers after-school learning programs. Their team comprises math experts based in the US, India and Singapore. Their flagship academy in Bangalore is in HSR Layout on 19th Main in Sector -2.
It is a fully personalized math mastery program for students from Grades 3 to 8, and is completely offline. Unlike the others, the institute believes that the best learning occurs when students apply their minds in a structured thinking and problem-solving framework, and learn from internationally-trained instructors in a high-energy, motivating environment.
Math as a subject is either loved or hated and contributes to the angst or aspirations of many parents. Today, the world is increasingly driving parents to make choices which ensure that their child stays ahead of the competition. In this fast-paced environment, there are a host of other programs out there that teach them by rote or gimmicks (fast calculations or techniques). Will knowing the √653902 or calculating 252 x 999987 help children solve the problems in the real world?
Online learning has its share of shortcomings. With insufficient personal attention and lack of supervision, it’s easy for children to say ‘maybe tomorrow’. The result is under-prepared students. Math creates the foundation for problem solving and critical thinking which is most crucial for entrance exams, and life itself.
QuestMath International has meticulously designed self-learning worksheets with a unique step-up approach, covering everything your child needs to excel in Math at school. They have also designed a comprehensive training system to ensure that their instructors deliver a quality learning experience for your child. Research has shown that early exposure to math concepts and skills enhances the child’s confidence in Math in their later years. QuestMath International’s holistic approach to the subject combines classroom learning and worksheets practice to give your child, an early advantage and stay ahead of their peers. The core elements of their curriculum and methodology that make QuestMath International highly effective are:
Complete Personalization – Each student is precisely evaluated and a Personalized Learning Plan is created at the beginning itself. Their unique Active Learning methodology cultivates discipline, self-control, and independence in students. This is not the depth at which most other learning programs operate from.
Concepts based Holistic Method / Micro-mastery Method – The program is designed with 304 micro-levels, that enables the institute to create a precise learning path tailored for every student and ensure mastery of each micro-concept.
Concepts and Applications Focus – Math continues to be taught and learnt with a heavy procedural bias. The institute’s approach is different. They place concepts and their application (problem solving) at the center of the curriculum.
A habit of self-learning and discovery transcends beyond the subject of Math – it will greatly benefit their learning of other subjects as well.
Beyond the numbers, equations and formulas, the skills and critical thinking required to solve math problems help children master other subjects as well. Math is not just the foundation for careers in science or engineering; it is the pillar of a well-rounded foundation for every child.
It’s that time of the year when Kaikondrahalli Lake on Sarjapur Road comes alive. Mark your calendar. Tomorrow, the 17th of February, will witness Kere Habba 2019 between 6am and 6pm. The lake that is home to a kalyani tank, kalyani gazebo and bridge gazebo will play host to a food court, retail stalls (santhe), … Read more
FRIDAY EVENT The Comedy Fiesta Friday, 8pm English, Hindi 1hr 20mins Sector 7 Cafe, 1136, 17th Cross Road, Muneswara Nagar, Sector 7, HSR Layout ₹150 An open mic show where comedians will try some of their new material for the very first time so come and be part of their journey and witness their material … Read more
