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

Now is the best time to go birdwatching in Bengaluru

birdwatching

By Anuksha Dey If you have been planning to go bird watching in Bengaluru, now is the perfect time. “This is the winter season… anytime you step out is a good time for birding,” says Dr Krishna MB, a zoologist with a doctorate in bird ecology. But if you’re wondering where and how to start, … Read more

After many citizen protests, BBMP agrees to save some trees

After many citizen protests, BBMP agrees to save some trees 1

By Chandrima Mazumdar 2021 has brought good news for the environment activists and enthusiasts as Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has agreed to save all the trees along the Whitefield roads. The tweet by Namma Whitefield’s page termed the move as a win for the environment, and thanked the BBMP and MLA Arvind Limbavali for … Read more

RTI Association pushes for the delivery of second appeals within 45 days 

RTI Association pushes for the delivery of second appeals within 45 days  2

By Aratrika Dey The Karnataka RTI Workers Seva Samithi (KRWSS) recently filed a petition with the Central Information Commissioner, demanding that RTI (Right to Information) second appeals be disposed off within 45 days. Second appeals before the Karnataka Information Commission are taking longer disposal time, some going up to more than three to five years. … Read more

Fact-check BBMP’s report on the condition of roads and footpaths

roads

By Chandrima Mazumdar The Karnataka State Legal Services Authority issued a notice dated January 18, 2021, asking people to share the status of the roads that need inspection. The concerned people can mail at: kar.hck9@gmail.com. According to the notice, the High Court of Karnataka had issued several directions addressing the Member Secretary, Karnataka State Legal … Read more

Residentspeak: BBMP has to follow the best practices of Forest Department to maintain lakes

agara lake

By Kavitha Reddy Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) agenda on Bengaluru lakes does not demonstrate confidence. Now that all the lakes in the BBMP limits are under its lakes division, I wonder if the infamous reputation of BBMP will be reflected in the lake conservation or will it truly make a positive impact in preserving … Read more

Report bad roads and potholes with this WhatsApp chatbot before Jan 30!

pothole complaints

By Qamar ZJ Frustrated with bad roads and potholes in Bengaluru? The Karnataka High Court has come to your rescue, thanks to a public interest litigation (PIL) by concerned citizens. All you have to do is to use this nifty WhatsApp chatbot and register your complaints. The easy steps are shown visually in the video … Read more

Received suspicious news? Fact-check on state government’s website

fact checking website

By Qamar ZJ While there are several private fact-check websites, not many are aware that the Karnataka police launched a fact-checking website in April last year. This was to combat the fake news surrounding COVID-19. Today, the portal has become an additional tool that the citizens can use to check the veracity of the information … Read more

Opinion: BBMP will have to wait till 2026 before delimiting the wards!

bangalore map

By Kavitha Reddy Even as the Government of Karnataka (GoK) misused its authority to postpone the civic polls, it is unaware that the BBMP is in a legal quagmire. As per the New BBMP Act, all Grama Panchayats (GP) that are in some of the constituencies of Bengaluru will become part of the Greater Bengaluru … Read more

Local citizen initiative against spitting receives national attention

odette Katrak

By Aratrika Dey This pandemic saw the championing of the Stop India Spitting campaign, a national movement led by the citizens of Beautiful Bengaluru (also known as Beautiful Bharat nationwide). Established in 2015 and spearheaded by Bellandur resident Odette Katrak, a behaviour change professional, writer and changemaker, Beautiful Bengaluru is a voluntary citizens’ initiative working … Read more

PayTM and ICICI are the most preferred fastag providers

fastag

By Qamar ZJ In an online poll by Team BHP, PayTM has emerged way ahead of its rivals as the most preferred fastag provider in India. This is followed not so closely by ICICI. As this form of automatic toll fee collection becomes the norm from Feb 15 (it was extended today), people are flocking … Read more

Complain directly to CM from Jan 1 on one email ID!

CM twitter handle

By Qamar ZJ From 2021, you can directly complain to the Karnataka chief minister on his Twitter handle or email ID (cm.kar@nic.in) for speedier redressal of your complaints. Earlier, there were three email IDs to reach the CM. The new move is to remove any confusion and duplication, thereby streamlining the process. However, citizens find … Read more