Articles by News Desk

Bengaluru is the IT hub of India, and most people here are becoming tech-savvy.  Bengaluru is today a global name, and with the changing stature of the city, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) too is striving to do its best.  Given the widespread use of technology, BTP has decided to use technology to serve citizens better. BTP frequently receives many complaints against auto drivers from the public—refusal to go on hire, demanding excess fare, misbehaving and other issues—through its various communication channels. In order to address citizens’ problems effectively, BTP has designed, developed and launched a mobile application called bSafe…

As it happens every year, Bengaluru got good amount of money this year too. Here's a look at the details. Bangalore Water Supply and drainage Board The following projects have been approved: • Water Supply and Underground Drainage Project for 110 villages coming under BBMP at a cost of Rs. 5018 crore approved with JICA loan. It includes components to reduce unaccounted for water of 180 MLD. • In addition to existing untreated water main pipeline, scheme for extending additional untreated Water Transfer Pipeline between Forbes Sagar to N.B.R and to extend up to T.K. Halli at an estimated cost…

The public consultations organised tree cutting for Metro Phase II in Bengaluru have been repeatedly cancelled due to lack of data and procedural lapses. Activists who were present in the Metro public consultation on March 11 demanded that the data on planted trees and the trees to be cut be made public. Namma Metro had uploaded the tree cutting data, however there was no map done by Namma Metro. This map has been created using the data provided in the BMRCL website. Click on the individual balloons to see the type of tree and cordinates. Here are the trees to…

In 2014, the Government of Karnataka decided to go for private-public partciipation in maintaining of public places. Freedom Park, Visweswaraiah Museum, Tippu fort, Lalbagh, Cubbon Park aquarium and Venkatappa Art Gallery were in the list of such tourist destinations for Bengaluru Urban. The government also formed a committee with Minister for Tourism as the chairperson, to consider and approve CSR proposals to maintain public places in the list of 46 tourist destinations identified.   // Adoption of Tourist Destination Karnataka Tourism GO (PDF) Adoption of Tourist Destination Karnataka Tourism GO (Text) Related ArticlesMoU between GoK and Tasveer Foundation on Venkatappa…

  // KTVG-Report-2014 (PDF) KTVG-Report-2014 (Text) Related ArticlesMoU between GoK and Tasveer Foundation on Venkatappa Art Gallery

  // VAG-Tasveer-Foundation-GoK-MoU (PDF) VAG-Tasveer-Foundation-GoK-MoU (Text)

  Bengaluru this week March 17th 2016     CITIZEN MATTERS Bangalore's own interactive newsmagazine Speak up, it's your city!     Phew, it just seems like yesterday we were reaching out to you, but it is already end of the financial year, and we start our bi-annual fundraiser. We will mail you shortly with details on how to donate. Citizen Matters Journalism Workshop We are happy to announce the workshop for citizen activists, aspiring writer-journalists, or just anybody who wants to write impactfully on issues important to you, and reach out to a larger audience. It will be held on…

The State government has officially gazetted the plastic ban in Karnataka. Here is the gazetted document that has all related details.   // Related ArticlesBengaluru is being swept by citizen-led plastic bansPlastic ban won't affect jobs, say govt, analystsPlastic ban: 25,000 to lose jobs; Industry seeks solutionsWhat Karnataka can learn from plastic ban across Indian citiesSanjay Nagar shopkeepers stop giving plastic carry bags, launch ‘Rent a Bag’

In order to scientifically process Bangalore city’s municipal solid waste (MSW), the State Government has set up seven compost plants, which are large facilities with required machinery and construction. Kannahalli is the largest one (can handle 500 tonnes per day), located in the outskirts of the city. One of India’s major companies in waste management, IL&FS Environment, is undertaking the operation and maintenance of this plant. There were issues with the composting facility, as the villagers near the plant complained of bad odour and other problems, and stopped garbage lorries from entering the facility for a few days. A notice…

Pictures from the meet. Courtesy: KSPCB Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) conducted a meeting with resident welfare associations of Bengaluru on March 9, 2016. Solid Waste Management and protection of lakes was discussed in the meeting. More than 150 associations participated in the meeting. The meeting decided to: - train public about protection and nurturing of environment around them - have separate websites for each lake where people can place complaints if any. - awareness drives on selected roads by students and public - form a committee to monitor solid waste management and lake protection in Bengaluru/ Dr Arbind…