City: Bengaluru

Yelahanka Satellite Town was once a very peaceful little town. But the boom in the land prices due to the opening of the International Airport is turning this town into another messy metropolis centre.  Every other road is being converted into a commercial road and every vacant site is being filled with huge complexes at jet speed.  What is hurting is that the Karnataka Housing Board, which designed this beautiful township, themselves are causing this sudden spurt of construction activities.  A huge piece of land with nearly 70-80 trees is now being turned into a concrete structure of some commercial…

It is that time of the year when the roads and colonies in Bangalore will host Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations. Though one believes in God or not, such events add colour to the otherwise monotonous life, and bring the families and friends together together in the name of celebration. However, the Ganesha idols, especially the big ones, are made up of Plaster of Paris, which is a non-biodegradable substance. Add to that the lead-based paint that gives a glossy look and feel to the idol. In the name of celebration, we pollute the water bodies when we immerse such Ganeshas in…

The Bangalore Development Authority’s ambitious project of selling apartments has no takers. The demand for a decent home does not seem to end in Bangalore, but people are not interested in BDA flats. The last date by which buyers had to apply for the flats was 31 June, 2013. Under Phase-I, total 4502 flats were constructed by the BDA, in Nandini Layout, Halagevaderahalli, Malagala, Gunjur phase-1, Thippasandra, Doddabanahalli Phase -I, Alur, Kothanur and Doddabanahalli units. Of these, according to BDA, only 700 have been allotted. BDA apartment constructed near Kengeri. Pic: Bosky Khanna Why did BDA get into apartment business?…

Former Citizen Matters staff journalist Navya P K has won an Indo-German environmental journalism award, in the online category. The All India Environmental Journalism Competition award was given to one of the stories written by Navya on the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project by Mantri Developers coming up on Bellandur wetland - Mantri’s 72 acre project encroaching Rajakaluve: IISc Report, published on May 31, 2013. The expose is part of a series Navya had reported on the SEZ project that violated environmental norms. The project promoters had also obtained partial NOC from the BWSSB with no alternative arrangement for water…

If you feel Bangalore has received good rains this year, here’s another news for you. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rainfall for Bangalore in the coming months. This also means that there will be less power cuts and less drinking water problems, at least for this year, say experts. Monsoon rain has been good in the city this year. From June 1 to August 31, 2013, Bangalore received 410 mm of rainfall. The actual rainfall for the south-west monsoon (SWM) season from June to September is a total of 549.6 mm. Rains have brought along smiles and hope…

A dying lake in the city. File pic. In a significant decision, a Division Bench of the High Court of Karnataka constituted by Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar and Justice B. Sreenivase Gowda ordered notice on Thursday (29/08/2013) to the state government.  The High Court bench asked S V Ranganath, IAS, Chief Secretary of the Government of Karnataka, as to why action should not be initiated as per Contempt of Court Act, 1971 for not complying with the directions of the Court in WP. 817/2008 (Environment Support Group and anr. vs. State of Karnataka represented by Chief Secretary and others), more than…

On the sidelines of a press conference of the Bangalore Bus Prayaanikara Vedike (commuters’ forum), a survivor of sexual harassment narrated her recent experience on the city’s Metro. She’d complained to the police, who hauled in the perpetrators – white collar employees of a prestigious global brand. She got them to the police station with some difficulty. A staff member of the Metro had resented having to help her by locating the CCTV tapes and so on. The now chastened young men pleaded with her, saying one of them had to head back to his job in the Middle East…

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike seems to be serious this time, in taking steps towards implementing the waste segregation and management compulsorily in the city. For the second time in this week, the BBMP has issued an advertisement that announces fines for various offenses, in accordance with the Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Act - 1976. The BBMP advertisement signed by the Commissioner states: "lt has been noticed that even after repeated notices the guidelines given are not being followed. BBMP will henceforth strictly enforce the rules and regulations and defaulters will be fined as detailed below."1) Littering, spitting, urinating, open defecating,…

Help Survey Efficiency of Garbage Management in Bangalore   In light of the massive solid waste (garbage) management crisis in Bengaluru last year, the High Court of Karnataka in response to Public Interest Litigations by Environment Support Group and various individuals, directed the City and State authorities to adopt various clean up measures. In simple terms, the directions involved instituting a public education campaign to ensure segregation of waste at source became mandatory, that biodegradable waste would be locally composted, recyclable waste recovered, and only inert waste sent to landfills. In addition, the whole process was decentralised and Ward Committees…

PRESS RELEASE Officials of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation(BMTC) held a meeting with representatives of the Bangalore Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) at its Head Office in Shanthi Nagar on August 17, 2013. This followed many weeks of agitations, demonstrations and letters sent to BMTC officials following the recent steep increase in bus fares. It was unfortunate that BMTC officials had sought police protection during the meeting. Policemen were present throughout the meeting. From BMTC’s side, Prakash G ‐ General Manager (Traffic) (In Charge) and Veeregowda GN ‐ Chief Traffic Manager (Commercial) took part. From BBPV side, there were ten members…