BBMP will fill potholes, but not count them
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is going to stop counting potholes, calling it an unscientific practice. M R Venkatesh, BBMP Engineer-in-chief, said that the civic body has asked engineers to fix potholes wherever they are found, without counting them. “We’ve stopped counting potholes because we’ve decided to make the city roads pothole-free,” he said.
By July 18th, BBMP had listed 5630 potholes, and had filled about 2790. The remaining 2840 holes are yet to be filled. BBMP has decided to not set deadlines to fill potholes; instead, officials have been instructed to work in shifts to ensure none remain.
Meanwhile, BBMP swung into action to repair potholes in Herohalli, after the video of a man dressed as an astronaut walking on potholed roads here, went viral.
However, in many parts of the city, crater-like potholes remain. Even roads in the premises of Victoria Hospital, the largest government hospital in the city, have more than 100 potholes. Visitors who come here on two-wheelers often complain of back pain or spinal cord injuries caused by the potholes.
Source: Deccan Herald | Indian Express | Bangalore Mirror
Police to pay special attention to CBD
From now, all junctions at Bengaluru’s CBD (Central Business District) will be manned by traffic police round-the-clock, said City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao. Special attention is needed at CBD since traffic snarls and road rule violations are common here, he said.
The police have also located 12 high-density corridors in the city, which include congestion points at Sarjapur Road, Electronic City and Bannerghatta Road. Traffic Department will designate an Inspector to manage vehicle flow, and to ensure zero tolerance for traffic violations and no-parking in these locations.
The traffic police has been instructed to slap fines and book owners who are caught violating parking norms. The department is also in talks with schools in residential areas that park vehicles outside, causing traffic congestion.
Police will regulate the entry of heavy vehicles to major roads. They are also contemplating booking drivers involved in fatal accidents under more stringent sections of the IPC.
Source: The Hindu
Tree park to keep intruders away from Turahalli forest
Forest Department is developing a 40-acre tree park where people can walk and jog, near the Turahalli Forest Reserve. The department hopes this would deter people from entering the main forest area. Currently, entry to the reserve forest is restricted; public are allowed here just two hours each on the weekends.
However, a volunteer group that helps maintain the forest is not convinced of the idea. Its members say that despite current regulations, intruders do enter the forest that’s spread across 590 acres. Hence, officials should allow entry to at least those who are environment-related since their presence would protect the forest, they say.
Source: The Hindu
HC gives state a month to decide on new SWM bye-laws
High Court has given the state government a month to examine the new solid waste management (SWM) bye-laws drafted by BBMP, and to decide on approving it. Once the government approves the draft bye-laws and notifies it in the gazette, citizens can submit their objections and suggestions on it.
BBMP had submitted the draft bye-laws to the government about 10 days ago. The court pointed out that the framing of bye-laws had already been delayed by about two years, and hence the government had to act immediately.
Source: The Hindu
[Compiled by Revathi Siva Kumar]