While this edition of our newsletter is much briefer than usual, it features several interesting stories. Read about how public land near Sankey tank is now in the hands of Mantri developers. Also check out what a reader has to say about the challenges faced by her apartment in waste segregation. We also have a new blog post that will take you back in time. Happy reading!

Here’s a look at the latest news from Bengaluru, before we get into our stories:

• Earlier today, the Lokayukta police filed an FIR against two former Chief Ministers of Karnataka – HD Kumaraswamy and BS Yeddyurappa, over an illegal land deal in RT Nagar.
• At least 3,500 sites formed and sold by the BDA in 14 layouts including Banashankari 3rd stage, HSR Layout and ST Bed, face an uncertain future with the BDA commissioner  submitting to the Upa Lokayukta that these layouts stand on lake beds. This admission comes in the wake of the recent demolition drives at Sarakki Lake and Banaswadi.
• According to the Breathe Blue ‘15 survey, Bangalore ranks second among the list of most polluted cities in India as far as air pollution is concerned.
• The Cycle Day initiative, which was met with great gusto in Bangalore, will now make its way to other cities in Karnataka including Hubballi, Dharward and Mysuru.

This week’s highlight – From Mysore Maharajas to Mantri Developers

The land abutting Sankey lake where an apartment from Mantri Developers is proposed to come up. Pic: Google Earth

A week ago, citizen groups in Malleswaram took to the Sankey Tank walkway to protest against Mantri’s upcoming project near the lake, citing that the land was transferred to Mantri illegally. So how did Mantri get hold of the prime land abutting Sankey Tank, which was once a public property? Here is what the documents show.

Read: From Mysore Maharajas to Mantri Developers – A fascinating tale of land transaction.

BBMP polls

The uncertainty surrounding the BBMP elections seems to have ended, with the Supreme Court ordering the Karnataka government to conduct the polls within three months. Read: BBMP polls to be held before August 2015.

Also read: Update your details or register yourself on voter list, ahead of BBMP elections.

Waste management in apartments

Renuka Mani shares the sad story of waste management in her apartment complex, after reading our story on BBMP’s garbage expenditure over the years. The story throws light on the problems faced by communities across the city. Read: Waste disposal in communities: Bengaluru needs simple practical solutions.

Traffic talk

In end-April, the Bangalore Traffic Police introduced a new one-way system to deal with the growing traffic woes in Madiwala. This has however produced some unintended results. Dr Reji Thomas explains the problems: Sarjapur Road-Madivala one-way: A tragedy for residents.  

In pictures: Bangalore’s footpaths

Entire slabs of a footpath in JP Nagar are missing. These are especially dangerous in the dark or during the rains. Imagine falling into this… Pic: Rahul Ravi

If Bengaluru’s footpaths could talk, they’d have many a tale to tell. What is the condition of the footpath that you trudge on? Here’s a look at some of the perils of walking on Bangalore’s footpaths: An army grade obstacle course!

Aa dinagalu

Chandra Shekhar Balachandran takes us to the days of yore once again, with his new post. Read about learning to cycle in the 60s and the renovation of the Prasanna Ganapati temple. Read: Prasanna Ganapati, c/o Cycle Shop Thimmayya.

Events this week

• 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.
• Join Cantt Tales from Cubbon Park, a heritage walk that will take you through Bangalore’s Victorian history on May 9th.
• Visit  Galleryske from May 10th onwards to view In other rooms, an exhibition featuring works by Martand Khosla, Suchender P, Masooma Syed and Avinash Veeraraghavan.
• Watch  La cour de Babel, a film on the exchanges, conflicts and joys of a group of youngsters learning French at Alliance Francaise on May 13th.
• Pay a visit to Anāhata at 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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