CITIZEN MATTERS
Bangalore’s own interactive newsmagazine
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City news that matters

Before the summary of our own stories, here’s a curation of the latest news from Bengaluru.

• In an effort to reduce peak hour traffic in the city, Bengaluru Police has banned the entry of heavy vehicles between 8 am and 11 am, and between 4 pm and 8 pm into the city’s main roads. Only water tankers, garbage lorries, police and military vehicles, and hearse vans can ply as usual without permission.
• The wheels are in motion to develop the Byappanahalli railway terminal into the city’s third railway station. In addition to decongesting traffic at the City and Yeshwantpur stations, this could even bring relief to commuters on the tech corridor.
• The Bengaluru Police busted a smuggling racket and seized Red Sanders worth Rs 36 crores, which were being shipped to port cities like Chennai and Mangalore, and from there to China and Japan.
• While the 2014 edition of the Midnight Marathon saw enthusiastic participation, many seasoned runners were ticked off as they had to literally nip at each other’s heels for the first 600 metres of the race.
• BBMP’s restructuring committee has submitted an interim report and sought extension of its term.
• BDA’s Peripheral Ring Road could run into rough waters again, even as people affected by the project prepare to question the environment clearance in National Green Tribunal.

This week’s highlight: A journey down memory lane in Russell Market

Pic: Pavan Kulkarni

» In February 2012, more than 100 shops were gutted in a tragic fire at Russell Market. Today, almost three years since the incident, it’s back to business as usual. Our intern, Pavan Kulkarni, takes a walk through the by-lanes of the heritage market, tracing the history of the building and the people who inhabit it.

Read: A journey down memory lane in Russel Market.

Living in the city

» This is your guide to getting LPG subsidy with or without Aadhaar card: You can even get out of the LPG subsidy scheme and be featured in the ‘Scroll of honour’! Read: How to get LPG subsidy in the modified scheme.

» There’s much happening in and around Bellandur this past fortnight – Minister Ramalinga Reddy paid a visit, clean up drives were organised at Iblur park and Kasavanahalli and more. Read: Bellandur Buzz.

» What are your plans this Christmas? Here’s what you could do to bring in the Christmas cheer with your friends and family. Read: Three things you can do this Christmas.

» Come 2015, Bengaluru will celebrate the second Saturday of every month as Lake Day. The first Lake Day will be held at Kaikondrahalli Lake on January 10th, and subsequently at lakes around the city. Read: Namma Bengaluru Foundation’s Lake Day Series.

» Despite the ban on cab aggregators, Taxi For Sure and Uber by the State Transport Department, both continue to operate in Bengaluru. Read: Uber and Taxi For Sure continue to operate.

Citizens’ groups in Bengaluru

Citizen Matters will be curating the WeAreBangalore account on Twitter next week. We’ll be having a section dedicated to citizens’ groups in the city of Bengaluru.

It can be anything: Facebook pages/groups doing meaningful work, Google or Yahoo groups, offline groups which people can contact and be a part of, ward-specific/location-specific citizen groups, teams meant for particular causes. Anything! If you want your group to be mentioned, do fill this form: http://goo.gl/g6dcyR. The summary will be put up as an article on Citizen Matters. It will be public and people will be able to contact you directly.

Events this weekend

• Watch Dramanon perform Pagdi, a play that recounts the life of a Sikh man who chases the world of opportunities and wealth on December 27th at Ranga Shankara. The play received the Toto Funds the Arts award for creative writing in English in 2013.
• Attend a presentation and discussion on Feng Shui, the Chinese art and science form that harmonises people with their surroundings on December 27th at New Acropolis.
• To celebrate World Disability Day, Jugalbandi Tennis is being held on December 28th at KSLTA Lawns and will see people with and without physical disabilities come together.
• Start the new year with a carnatic music concert by Vocalist R Vasudevan who will be performing Relationship Between Swaras at Bangalore International Centre on January 2nd 2014.

You can also have a look at the complete listing of events coming up in Bengaluru here. 

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