City: Bengaluru

Just last month, a tragic accident on the Carmelaram- Gunjur 100 Feet road claimed the life of a young boy, highlighting the increasing dangers of this stretch. This key route, opened to the public just nine months ago, was meant to improve connectivity but has instead become an increasingly unsafe, accident-prone zone, posing serious risks to commuters, particularly at night. Unfinished roadwork and missing safety features Despite the road being opened for public use, it was not fully completed at the time. One of the most significant issues is the abrupt transition in lane structure. For about 100 metres, the…

Would you believe me if I told you that amidst the hustle and bustle of Bengaluru, there’s a whole world of tiny architects, serial killers, woodworkers, and coordinated dancers, each leading very peculiar lives? Their small size often helps them escape detection, but they are hard to miss once you train your eyes to notice them. A new guide, Commonly Spotted Insects and Spiders in the City of Bengaluru, can help you tune in to this fascinating world of many-legged, antennaed and often winged creatures.  And maybe, with the interesting nuggets that the book provides about each animal, you will…

The Tunnel Roads Project (TRP) was cleared by the Karnataka Cabinet on August 22, 2024.  On December 20th the same year, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) unveiled the 628-page report titled “Comprehensive Bengaluru City Traffic Management  Infrastructure Plan – proposals for vehicular tunnel / grade separator / road  widening in selected corridors- final feasibility report, December 2024”, prepared by Altinok Consulting Engineers Inc.  The report has clubbed together proposals for tunnel roads, double deckers and grade separators (Flyovers/Elevated Corridors), with one of its key objectives being “...developing a plan to support mobility of public transport users, pedestrians and  cyclists”. One of…

Car and two-wheeler horns are unrelated to vehicular motion. Yet, a closer look at our busy roads reveals a constant din caused by drivers honking relentlessly, even when unnecessary. Once serene residential areas now reverberate with the cacophony of different horn sounds. The noise at traffic signals and bottlenecks is hitting deafening levels of around 90 decibels (dB), and vehicle drivers ignore 'silence zones' near schools and hospitals. People continue to have multi-toned and high-pressure horns, which they use out of habit, while many vehicles have their silencers modified.  Numerous articles and awareness campaigns in Bengaluru and other cities have focussed…

At Citizen Matters, we recently published an article by our reporter Gangadharan B, addressing the increased dust pollution caused by Namma Metro construction in Bengaluru. The report explored how certain mitigation measures are not being followed at Namma Metro construction sites, affecting air quality and taking a toll on public health. The report also raised questions on whether the air quality in the construction sites is monitored regularly as per the suggestions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. While multiple attempts were made to reach out to Bengaluru Metro Rail Construction Limited (BMRCL) before publishing the article, we did…

A long weekend drive on the highway sounds like a good way to unwind, but the massive, often overloaded trucks and other commercial vehicles belching black-grey smoke can make city roads less pleasant.  While commercial vehicles are crucial for the supply of essential goods across cities, they also cause major pollution. In Bengaluru, commercial vehicles make up just 4% of the total vehicle population but contribute a staggering 49% of the city's PM2.5 vehicular emissions. A recent study published by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) revealed this fact.  Particulate matter from vehicle emissions penetrates deep into the lungs…

For low-income communities in Bengaluru, buses are a lifeline. The recent hike of 15% in BMTC bus fares has made commuting more expensive, especially for those traveling long distances. Babu V, a clothes vendor, travels everyday by bus from Kengeri to Vijayanagar. “It takes me an hour to commute,” he says. His ticket fare has increased from Rs 25 to Rs 28. “I don’t think this is a good move. I have to pay extra every month from my earnings.” Fayaz Ali, a market vendor, who has seen his daily fare rise from Rs 20 to Rs 23, points out…

Bengaluru has earned a stellar reputation as the seat of information technology, biotechnology, and India's space programme. Sci560, an exhibition hosted by the Science Gallery, Bengaluru, provides a comprehensive overview of this evolution. Through documentaries, photographs, objects, devices and instruments, Sci560 offers a fascinating kaleidoscope of the city's emergence as a military-industrial-academic hub. Its intriguing title is a portmanteau of ‘science’ and the city’s PIN or postal code ‘560’, while simultaneously being a play on the term ‘sci-fi’ (science fiction). Suitable surroundings Housed in a state-of-the-art building with an aesthetic ambience that blends the traditional with the modern, the Science…

According to a recent news report, there has been a 20% increase in theft cases compared to 2023, linked to domestic help. This has naturally created apprehensions and flagged the need for safety checks around employment of household help and staff in gated communities and independent homes. Background checks and police verification have been established as recommended procedures while hiring staff, following several untoward incidents in the city. These checks are advisable as they help both the employer and the staff build a relationship of trust and confidence towards each other. Many Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and individuals are unaware…

The metropolis of Bengaluru, once celebrated as a garden city, is now grappling with the loss of its green spaces, leaving its dwindling lakes as the last line of defence against urban heat. Citizen groups deeply committed to preserving these lakes, have actively engaged in restoration efforts despite challenges like conflicting stakeholder priorities. This is Part 3 of a three-part Citizen Matters explainer series on Bengaluru's lake systems. Part 1 explores Bengaluru's lake system, highlighting its functions and features.  Part 2 focuses on the assets of a lake, including core zone assets (ecological assets) and social zone assets (recreational assets). …