Bengaluru Buzz: BBMP opposes plan to allow hoardings in city | Bellandur lake restoration progresses | Forest land to go for Metro…and more

BBMP to push for implementation of its hoarding ban, BDA starts works to prevent sewage entry to Bellandur lake, a 1.75-acre forest patch to be acquired for Metro line, spurt in dengue cases - read more on what happened in the city this week

BBMP to battle UDD move to allow ad hoardings

The BBMP is gearing up to battle the Urban Development Department’s (UDD) plan to allow advertisement hoardings in the city again. On July 15th, UDD had notified the draft BBMP Advertisement Rules, 2019, but BBMP officials say they were not consulted beforehand. The BBMP Council had decided to ban hoardings in the city about a year back.

The UDD notification came just three days after the High Court stayed the BBMP’s resolution to ban hoardings. UDD has also invited objections and suggestions on its draft notification.

On Monday, the BBMP Council will meet to discuss further plans. The civic body argues that hoardings have not been a good source of revenue for a decade, and that the city’s public safety, aesthetics and environment are more important. A councillor said that the revenue from hoardings was not more than Rs 30 crore a year.

Source: The Hindu | Deccan Herald

Sewage diversion from Bellandur lake started

Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has started creating two ‘temporary’ channels to divert sewage away from Bellandur lake. The channels that will run along the periphery of the lake, would be built in about two-and-half months.

They are expected to facilitate diversion of sewage coming to the lake from several inlets, until the BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) commissions its Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). The STPs are expected to be ready by 2020. After this, only rainwater and treated water from the STP will be let into the lake.

The sluice gates at the lake have also been opened to dry out the lake bed, so that the quantum of silt in it can be assessed. The silt will then be tested on many parameters for its quality, filtered and distributed to farmers. These steps had been decided upon in meetings by an NGT (National Green Tribunal)-appointed committee headed by former Lokayukta N Santosh Hegde, to preserve the lake.

Source: The Hindu | Deccan Herald

BMRCL to get forest land for Kanakapura Metro line

The Kanakapura Road metro line extension will run through a 1.75-acre forest patch. The land has been approved to be handed over to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

Recently, the Regional Empowered Committee (REC) of the centre’s Ministry of Environment and Forests approved the diversion of UM Kaval Reserve forest land to construct five piers of the viaduct. In a note to the REC, BMRCL had pointed out that the land was urgently needed. The metro line along Kanakapura Road had been built, but could not be operationalised without the five piers, BMRCL had said.

Source: The Hindu

Dengue cases on the rise

Dengue cases have shown a spurt in July, especially within BBMP limits. Doctors say they see at least 15-20 cases everyday in their hospitals. Some patients report nasal bleeding, gastro-intestinal bleeding and blackish stools. They need platelet transfusion, and a few even get admitted to the ICU.

Due to sporadic rains and stagnant puddles, the deadly Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been multiplying in the city. The government has been accused of not creating enough awareness or taking precautions against the spread of the disease.

Source: Bangalore Mirror | The Hindu

People-friendly reception desks at police stations

Bengaluru’s police personnel will soon set up ‘reception desks’ to help visitors file complaints or record grievances. Staff at the desk will also register visitor details for follow-ups.

Visitors’ grievances will be recorded in visitor management system (VMS), a software installed in  computers at all police stations. This is to keep records and track the progress of each case. Grievances registered on VMS will be assigned to an officer. If visitors feel their concerns were not addressed properly, they can approach senior officers including the city Police Commissioner. The system also allows citizens to give feedback.

Source: The Hindu

[Compiled by Revathi Siva Kumar]

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