City: Bengaluru

Here is yet another example of conflict between two civic agencies. Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are at loggerheads over managing the 11 lakes entrusted to BDA in 2009, for rejuvenation. The tussle will affect the maintenance of the lakes which have been fenced and are on the road to rejuvenation. It will also result in wastage of public money spent on these lakes. Twelve lakes located in various parts of Bangalore, including M V Layout, ITI Layout, Banashankari 6th Stage, Anjanapura and Arkavathi Layout were given to BDA from the BBMP. The lakes are:…

One of the useful initiatives by the erstwhile BJP Government in Karnataka was the Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act - 2011,also known as Sakala. Introduced on 1 March 2012, it aims at bringing transparency in administration. There are various services offered under Sakala, including obtaining a Khata for your house. For more information on Sakala, visit the website here. The Sakala website mentions the list of documents required for submitting your Khata registration application: Application in prescribed form Attested copy of the title deed Copy of Encumbrance Certificate (in form 15) for the past 10 years Conversion Certificate…

One of the best things that has happened in recent years in the city is growing community participation in the management of lakes. Starting from small attempts some years ago in one or two lakes, we have now reached a stage where at least two dozen communities are working steadily to revive and spruce up the lake environment around them. Today alone, I received invitations on email threads for people to be part of three initiatives - in Yelechenahalli, Agara and Avalahalli lakes. As I drove home past Sarakki lake, I noticed the fencing work has been substantially completed on…

Sushil Kumar, a resident of Sadashivanagar, was in rage and almost up in arms when he saw a majestic Gulmohar tree being axed to make way for road widening in his neighbourhood. When he tried to stop the workers from converting the trunk to logs, he was told that orders were given from the higher ups in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). When he contacted BBMP Forest cell top brass, pat came the reply, “I am not the authority concerned. But I will look into the matter, please give me the details.” He is not the only one. Sunita…

The campaign against the bus fare hike by the Bangalore Bus Prayaanikara Vedike has been going on for the past one week. On Friday June 28, the Vedike held a protest outside the BMTC office and submitted a memorandum (scanned copy and English version attached) to the GM, BMTC. The GM promised to review the fare-hike decision and also call for a meeting. However, the very same day, the BMTC MD once again issued a public statement declaring that the fare hike will not be taken back at any cost. We have also not heard from BMTC on whether they…

Volvo Buses, India is calling for entries for the third edition of the Volvo Sustainable Mobility Awards 2013. Instituted in 2011, this award aims to reward progressive and practical action in the area of promoting sustainable solutions in urban mobility. For more information about the contest, visit www.volvobuses.co.in. Register and submit, if your group or organisation has made a positive impact in the area of sustainable mobility that stands out, be it concerning public transport, bicycle, pedestrian safety, or just about any initiative in the interest of sustainable mobility. Last date for registrations is August 31, 2013. Last date for…

  The BMTC bus commuters finally have something to cheer about. They can now check the buses on the routes they want, and keep the exact amount of change ready, thanks to the BMTC website that provides every possible information that's helpful for a commuter. The website, mybmtc.com, launched early this May, is user-friendly with attractive features. The information process system is at par with the needs of the urban and sub-urban areas. The website has both English and Kannada languages. All the bus stations have been listed along with the contact numbers for major stations like Kempegowda (Majestic), Shivajinagar…

Gone are the days when security and surveilence depended on security guards, thanks to the technical advancement. CCTV camera industry is a booming business today, with every shop, showroom, mall, apartment and office complex and hotel investing in electronic modes of security. A small yet significant part of this growing industry in Bangalore is Sadiya Sarwar. Daughter of an automobile engineer and a mother of two, Sadiya started her business in the year 2007. She credits her father for having taught her the ways of this field. “The year I started my company, C2i solutions, the CCTV camera business was…

It is now time to revive the age old procedure of building action plan. Here are some guidelines which can be implemented. 1. In multi-storied buildings, garbage chutes need to be banned, to enforce segregation at source. In buildings that already have chutes, they should be closed. In new buildings, chutes should not be approved during the plan sanction. 2. All multi-storied buildings should provide a garbage sorting area along with a composting area. If there is insufficient space at ground level, terrace/ topmost floor/ basement can be considered. It has been found that the terrace (or top most floor)…

Residents loacted beside the Thubarahalli-Vibgyor school Road stretch have been facing problems every day, due to not having basic amenities like road, streetlight and sewage. Around 6000 people stay in this locality. A mud road which gives access to eight to nine apartments in this area has not been upgraded for the last eight years. The situation of Thubarahalli - Vibgyor school road is really pathetic during rainy season. Pic: Javed Ahmad In summer, dust pollution created here is unimaginable. Dust is being collected on the apartments in such a huge quantity that people cannot open their windows. The building…