Transport Department against carpool platforms

The Transport Department has warned against the use of private cars for carpooling. The warning was in response to the launch of the carpooling service rPool by the online bus ticketing platform redBus. Using the rPool platform, car owners can offer rides in their private cars, and in turn get reward points that they can redeem at a fuel station or Amazon Pay. The service would also benefit passengers since the fares are lower than that of autorickshaws and cabs, claims the platform.

However, Transport Department officials say there is no legal provision to allow the use of private cars for commercial gain. Officials had taken action when aggregators like Ola introduced ride-sharing apps earlier.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara endorsed Quick Ride, a bike and carpooling app. He wrote a letter to the transport minister, emphasising that the government should recognise and support such ventures. He also requested the minister to consider these platforms’ plea for recognition.

Source: The Hindu | Deccan Herald

Expert submits interim report on waste processing plants

A waste management expert appointed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has submitted an interim report after inspecting two waste processing plants. BBMP had sought the expertise of N K Kuttiappan, Executive President of LVK Environment Consultants, Coimbatore, to streamline processes and to suggest Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for waste management plants in the city. This step was taken after communities living around many plants complained of odour and mismanagement.

Kuttiappan’s interim report is based on the inspection of the Karnataka Compost Development Corporation (KCDC) plant and another plant at Chikkanagamangala. The report notes that the waste received at the KCDC plant is too wet. It suggests that water in the waste be drained before it is mixed with leaf waste and transported to compost pits, so as to reduce odour. It also recommends measures to improve air circulation in the Chikkanagamangala plant. The interim report is now being examined by the Technical Guidance Committee (TGC).

Meanwhile, garbage seems to be piling up in the city. Black spots are reappearing and citizens are complaining that waste from their households is not being picked up regularly. D Randeep, BBMP Additional Commissioner (SWM), says this could be due to the ongoing transition to the new garbage tenders.

Source: The Hindu|Bangalore Mirror

NEERI can study city’s lakes: State to HC

State government submitted to the High Court that it had no objection to the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) studying Bengaluru’s lakes. It added that NEERI can also audit lakes already developed and maintained by the BBMP and other agencies. Government made the submission at a hearing of PILs related to issues such as lack of maintenance of stormwater drains and sewage inflow into lakes.

However, BBMP could not specify the number of lakes in the city, to the court. BBMP said there were 210 lakes under its jurisdiction, but that it had details of just 168, of which 19 had lost the characteristics of lakes decades ago; some lakes were under the Bangalore Development Authority as well. An earlier report by the Lake Development Authority, which specified that there were 374 lakes in Bengaluru, was also submitted to the court.

Source: The Hindu

Public meet on Bellandur and Varthur lake revival

A committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to oversee rejuvenation of Bellandur, Agara and Varthur lakes, will hold a public meeting on June 21st at KK English School, Varthur, at 11 am.

In its meeting on Tuesday, the committee directed the state government to set aside Rs 500 cr for lake rejuvenation. Sources who attended the meeting said that government agencies submitted action plans for improving the lakes, while the BWSSB and the BDA submitted estimates. The committee said that BBMP should focus on removing encroachments on lakes and stormwater drains.

Source: The Hindu

[Compiled by Revathi Siva Kumar]