Articles by Sandhya Bhat

In 2019, a new underground drainage pipe (UGD) was installed to clear an earlier blocked sewer that erupted, leaked, and contaminated the land. The culprit – output from the unplanned growth of commercial kitchens in 5th block, Koramangala, which have been pumping these effluents into the UGD. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) moved the UGD from the carriage way to the side of the road, where all the utilities were planned, as part of the whitetopping procedure. They found that the discharge from the line that was attached to a restaurant was entirely filled with oil when…

At the recently held BBMP – Work Orders, Budgets and Processes Datajam, a group of citizen volunteers analysed the data available in the public domain, here are their observations and suggestions on BBMP’s cess collection. To:Sri. Nagaraj SherigarBBMP Additional Commissioner (Finance) Dear Sir, We are a group of citizen volunteers who would like to share our observations and suggestions on BBMP’s cess collection. Observations: We attempted to find out how much cess and surcharge was being collected each year by BBMP based on the agency’s cess receipts and where it was spent. The team found that although typically cess forms…

The Merriam Webster dictionary’s definition of the word ‘manifesto’ is “A written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer”. Do the manifestos released by the four main political parties contesting the May 10th Karnataka assembly elections fit that definition? The intentions are somewhat spelt out, the motives are unknown. And its views on issues like decentralisation, of urban governance in particular, finds no mention at all. The tradition of issuing “manifestos” began with the first election in 1952. But those were different and simpler times with one major party, which faced no worthwhile opposition. But today’s…

Find out how Malleshwaram Assembly Constituency is faring and what the major issues in this constituency are. Learn about the incumbent MLA Dr C N Ashwath Narayan (BJP) and other candidates – Anoop Iyengar (INC), Suman Prashanth (AAP) and Dr Suneel Hebbi (National People's Party). Table of contentsAbout the constituencyKey issues in the constituencyKey parameters - How does this constituency fare? SchoolingMobilityCitizen engagementHealthConstituency mapCitizen demandsIncumbent MLA: Dr C N Ashwath NarayanWork in the termIn the newsQuestions raised in the AssemblyList of candidatesIncumbent MLA: Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, BJPCandidate: Anoop Iyengar, INCCandidate: Dr Suneela Hebbi, National People's Party (NPP)Candidate: Suman Prashanth,…

Find out how Mahalakshmi Layout Assembly Constituency is faring and what the major issues in this constituency are. Learn about the incumbent MLA K Gopalaiah (BJP) and other candidates – Keshavamurthy S (INC) and Shanthala Damle (AAP) Table of contentsAbout the constituencyKey issues in the constituencyKey parameters - How does this constituency fare? SchoolingMobilityCitizen engagementHealthIncumbent MLA: K GopalaiahIn the newsList of candidatesIncumbent MLA: K GopalaiahCandidate: Shanthala Damle, AAPCandidate: S Keshavamurthy - INCFull list of candidates   Past elections results About the constituency The Mahalakshmi Layout assembly constituency is situated in northwest Bengaluru. It is considered to be the third largest residential layout in…

Find out how Dasarahalli Assembly Constituency is faring and what the major issues in this constituency are. Learn about the incumbent MLA R Manjunatha (JDS), and other candidates-S Muniraju (BJP), G Dhananjaya (INC), Kirthan Kumar (AAP). Table of contentsAbout the constituencyKey issues in the constituencyKey parameters - How does this constituency fare? SchoolingMobilityCitizen engagementHealthIncumbent MLA: R Manjunatha (JDS) Work in the termIn the newsQuestions raised in the AssemblyList of candidatesIncumbent MLA: R Manjunath, JD (S) Candidate: S Muniraju - BJPCandidate: G Dhananjaya, INCCandidate: Keerthan Kumar - AAPFull list of candidates   Past elections results About the constituency Dasarahalli Assembly constituency was carved out…

Find out how BTM Layout Assembly Constituency is faring and what the major issues in this constituency are. Learn about the incumbent MLA Ramalinga Reddy (INC), K R Sridhara (BJP), Srinivas Reddy (AAP), and Janani Vathsala (KRS). Table of contentsAbout the constituencyKey issues in the constituencyKey parameters – How does this constituency fare?SchoolingMobilityCitizen engagementHealthConstituency mapIncumbent MLA: Ramalinga ReddyWork in the termIn the news Questions raised in the AssemblyList of candidatesIncumbent MLA Ramalinga Reddy, INCCandidate: K R Sridhara (BJP)Candidate: Srinivas Reddy, AAPFull list of candidatesPast election results About the constituency BTM Layout Assembly Constituency is in Bengaluru Urban district and comes…

Monsoon is one of the oldest weather observations, an economically important weather pattern, and the most anticipated weather event and unique weather phenomenon. Yet, it is only partially understood and notoriously difficult to predict. Monsoon brings several difficulties, and events, which include, downgraded situations like heavy rainfall, flood, lightning, and cyclone which may demand safety precautions at high priority. Buildings are susceptible to weather conditions, and Bengaluru experiences rainfall throughout the year. A pre-monsoon safety plan helps mitigate some of the seen and unseen hazards. General safety precautions Provide preventive measures and guidance to Association management, employees, workers, and visitors.…

Bengaluru generates 6000 tons of garbage per day from various entities. BBMP as the local government and the nodal agency in charge of solid waste management, has categorised waste generators into bulk and non-bulk categories. According to estimates, over 1500 tons of waste is generated by Bulk Generators (BGs). Classification of Bulk Generators Bulk Generators have been classified into three categories, as per BBMP’s circular JC(SWM)/PRF/e-17410/2021-22 dated 30th Mar 2022: ResidentialInstitutionalCommercialApartments, Multi dwelling units, gated communities housing greater than 100 Units.Academic institutions, government departments and undertakings, religious institutions, hospitals, hospitality industry, Corporates, etc.All commercial entities which generate on an average…