HC directs BBMP to install CCTV cameras around lakes
On Tuesday, High Court directed the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) to set up closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras around all lakes. This is to maintain security, and prevent illegal activities including encroachments.
A Division Bench issued the direction while dictating an interim order in a PIL on poor maintenance of stormwater drains (SWDs) and sewage entry into lakes. The Bench also directed BBMP to draw up a comprehensive plan in six weeks to prevent encroachment of SWDs.
Source: The Hindu
Flyover proposed between Kamakhya and Ittamadu
BBMP has proposed building a flyover in Outer Ring Road, between Kamakhya theatre and Ittamadu junction, at an estimated cost of Rs 125 crore. The project is likely to be covered under the Chief Minister’s Nagarottana Scheme. Currently, this stretch of less than one kilometre is so crowded that vehicles take around 30 minutes to cover it during peak hours. The passenger car unit – that is, the number of vehicles traversing this stretch in an hour – is almost 15,000.
According to civic officials, the flyover would give relief to three crowded junctions – Kamakhya, Katriguppe and Ittamadu. Once the project is completed, a 7.5-km stretch between Mysuru Road and Silk Board Junction would become signal-free, a source said.
Source: The Hindu
BMTC student bus pass counters will open soon
As the BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) has started getting online applications for bus passes from students, it is set to open at least 50 counters to issue the passes soon. Though applications can only be submitted online, students have to collect passes from these counters directly. BMTC plans to open 90 counters overall, mainly in bus stands and TTMCs (Traffic Transit Management Centres). Twelve of these will be in Majestic bus stand.
Source: The Hindu
Kempegowda museum closed
Kempegowda museum, dedicated to the city’s founder, has remained closed for the last two months. BBMP had set up the museum at Mayo Hall on MG Road in 2011. However, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said that the museum’s custodian was not the Palike, but the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Development Authority. This authority had been constituted in 2016, but has not met in years.
The museum houses old maps of the city, many artefacts and other historically-significant items. It is unclear if it would be opened to public anytime soon.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Revathi Siva Kumar]