With the long weekend out of the way, we’re sure all of you are once again knee-deep in work. Well, so are we… Here’s a look at the latest news from Bengaluru, before we get into our stories:

• Namma Metro’s Reach 3B that runs from Peenya Industrial Area to Nagasandra was inaugurated on May 1st​. A few activists who protested against the absence of toilet and drinking water facilities in the Metro stations were arrested.
• Bengaluru Urban district administration cleared 711 acres of land worth Rs 7,550 crores on Saturday, in the second such demolition drive.
• Bengaluru Urban district administration has also found that a part of NICE road is encroaching Gottigere and Somapura lakes. If the current drive against encroachment is to continue, these encroachments may be cleared soon.
• The Bengaluru City railway station might very well be called ‘Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna’ railway station going forward with the Central government approving the name change.

This week’s highlight: Living by the lake

Lather flowing onto the road near Varthur lake. Pic: Murali Govindraju

Pictures of a frothing Varthur lake have been doing the rounds in the past couple of days. Experts say that this is only the tip of the pollution iceberg. Here’s what you need to know about it and why you should be wary, especially if you live in East Bengaluru. Read: Story of the lather from Varthur lake.

Also read:

• Citizens, BBMP and BWSSB work together to stop the sudden inflow of sewage into the Puttenhalli lake. Read about how persistence with timely action is getting them results.
• The Lake Development Authority recently submitted a report on the status of Agara and Bellandur lakes to the High Court. Read the report here.
• Citizen groups in Malleswaram took to the Sankey Tank walkway on Saturday to protest against Mantri’s upcoming project near the lake, citing that the land was transferred to Mantri illegally. Read: Citizens protest against Mantri’s apartment plan next to Sankey Lake.

BDA’s public consultation

BDA faced the ire of many citizen groups at its public consultation on planning the city. Citizens protested against the mess the BDA has put the city in. Read: It’s BDA vs public again, as BDA’s power to public consultation questioned.

Also read Ashwin Mahesh’s letter to the Chief Minister: Take the first step in doing what is right for Bengaluru.

The heroes among us

Pic: Sujatha

Here’s a story that proves that the children of today are indeed the heroes of tomorrow. Read: Children urge eatery owners in Bellandur to say no to plastic and disposables.

Ideas for change

Though Carmelaram railway station sees significant traffic, the amenities there are lacking. Sanjay Vijayaraghavan explores how it can be improved. Read: How Indian Railways can make this Bengaluru station profitable.

Together with Nepal

The State Government dispatched two IAS officers to Nepal to expedite the rescue of stranded citizens. Read about how Bengaluru tried to help during Nepal quake.

Living in the city

BESCOM’s frequent load-shedding and erratic voltage supply prove disastrous for consumers. Read about how fluctuations are costing citizens heavily.

The High Court has granted the State government additional time to freeze on city restructuring plans. Read on to find out what this means for municipal polls.

Traffic talk

The stretch of highway from Kudlu gate to Huskur gate sees an alarming number of pedestrian fatalities every month. Here’s an analysis of why this stretch of Hosur Road is turning out to be a nightmare.

Bangalore Traffic Police responds to the growing traffic woes in Madiwala with a new one-way system – will it work is the question! Read more.

Food for thought

Which way is the toilet?! Public urination has been a commonplace menace in Bengaluru. However, with increasing cases of open defecation, the lack of proper sanitary facilities becomes a pressing issue. Read: Toilet elli?

Events this week

• Watch a special screening Timbuktu, an award-winning film directed by Abderrahmane Sissako at Alliance Francaise on May 6th.
• Catch the screening of  Les tontons flingueurs, a comedy about an ex-gangster who defends himself from getting killed, at Alliance Francaise on May 7th.
• Head over to Alliance Francaise on May 8th to watch The Prophet and the Poet, a play based on the letters exchanged between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore over 25 years.
• Explore the world of folktales with your children and master storyteller, Kabuliwalla at Atta Galatta on May 9th.
• Pay a visit to Anāhataat The Haveli for a glimpse of the works of forty-nine artists of renown including F.N. Souza, Adimoolam, M. F. Hussain, Arpana Caur, Yusuf Arakkal, Doddamani and more. The exhibition will go on up to May 17th.

Click here for the complete list of events happening in Bengaluru.

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