City: Bengaluru

If there was one clear sign at the end of counting yesterday evening, it was this: the electoral victories that the BJP sustained in 2008 by plucking 17 of the 27 state assembly seats from Bengaluru, has held sway on March 28th as well.The premise of this report is this: party identities and allegiances have broadly held sway in the March 28th city polls, not individual candidate credentials. With individual stature not being a factor in bulk of the wards, voters - whichever way you assume their votes were got -  have stayed with three major parties. For the most,…

It has been less than two months since the Carlton Towers fire accident took place. A week after the incident, Commissioner of Police Shankar Bidari issued a notification saying that owners/lease-holders/occupants of such buildings must adhere to a set of rules and regulations, and report the same to the nearest police station by April 15th, 2010. In case the building is not according to the plan sanctioned by the local authority, the Commissioner has set June 30th, 2010, as the deadline to conform to the approved plan.The order says that these buildings must comply with the guidelines as prescribed in…

The BJP secured 112 out of 198 seats in the BBMP council, with the Congress party winning 64 seats and JD(S) 15.  For those of you who could not watch the details unfold during the day, most of the results are up on these two websites, bbmp elections and karsec.Each ward is linked to a detailed result sheet. In addition to votes cast for the candidates, the following data is available on each sheet - total number of voters in the ward, total number of votes cast, total number of votes rejected.Stay tuned for Citizen Matters analysis of the results…

The slum dwellers of Mathikere are refusing to move into temporary shelters built for them under the Mathikere flyover by BBMP, saying it is dangerous and unsuitable for living. BBMP is offering the units to 42 families as temporary residences after their houses will be demolished for the widening of M S Ramaiya Road.The demolishing work began on April 3rd morning. "We will shift 37 families first and rest will be moved as and when housing arrangement are made," said M K Harish, Assistant Engineer with BBMP. The road widening work will begin shortly after moving in the families, he…

It is great to see that work on the Whitefield railway overbridge is finally picking up speed. However, I have a different concern.Train parked right in the middle of the road. Pic: Suruj BhuyanThe railway authorities have taken the liberty of parking the trains anywhere they wish to. Pic: Suruj Bhuyan.People climbing up in between two bogies in order to cross over. Pic: Suruj Bhuyan.‹ › $(document).ready(function(){ $('.carousel .carousel-inner .item').first().attr('class', 'active item');}); Since the railway gates are now closed temporarily due to the overbridge construction, the railway authorities have taken the liberty of parking the trains anywhere they wish to.…

Scared, witless by dire warnings from medical friends about the horrifying ailments that await those who turn fifty, one decides to embark on a fitness drive. Thus, clad with one ‘Reeback' tracksuit from a roadside boutique (Made as USA - assures the label), one pair of cloned Nikes, one Chinese iPod and walking tips from the internet, one sets off on a morning walk.  In Puttenahalli. The walker's website advises ‘Start with a deep breath'. So, one goes ‘Aaaahh, Inhaaaale!' Bad mistake. There's an overflowing garbage bin at the corner. Gasp, choke, gag.   ‘Avoid main roads', the website further…

Malleshwaram Circle was a very beautiful junction, where lovely avenues criss-crossed. Huge trees lined up on all the four roads and made this place a literal heaven. A grade separator made its way about five years ago and hundreds of trees were bidden good-bye. We could not see the sky in those days. But today, people walk under the scorching sun. Many businessmen at the junction, who were running their business for the last 50 to 100 years, have lost their business.For example, there was this beautiful flower shop which was more than hundred years old. I saw the concept…

 With usual messiness, city polls go peacefullyReally, was it 45 percent turnout?A turning point for BengaluruMake them take sidesCandidate details for BBMP elections 2010JP Nagar, Sarakki election debate focuses on water‘Shortest ever' election cycle in full swingCity activists take plunge into politics with BBMP pollsKoramangala residents sound the drum, form citizen councilSmartvote campaign reaches thousandsIn Sagayapuram, only 2 out of 8 candidates turn up for election debateSeasoned panchayat officials, fresher in fray at Bellandur'Cash for coverage' comes to BBMP elections tooDomlur high on expectations from future councillorOne candidate shows up at Thanisandra election debateElection debate turns into grievance forumBanaswadi residents…

What are the helplines for women in distress?Vanitha Sahayavani initiated by the Bangalore police force helps women in distress, provides them counselling, helps them with short stay home facilities and rehabilitation. The helpline, in particular, comes to the rescue of women with marital problems or property disputes. Call 1091.Ashraya Women's Centre, Indiranagar is for women who have been physically and mentally abused and to those who have been abandoned. The organisation provides shelter, counselling, legal-aid and vocational training. Ph: 25251929. eval(decodeURIComponent('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%5c%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%61%73%68%63%68%69%6c%64%40%61%69%72%74%65%6c%6d%61%69%6c%2e%69%6e%5c%22%3e%43%6c%69%63%6b%20%66%6f%72%20%65%6d%61%69%6c%20%69%64%3c%5c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b')). Which are the NGOs working for women in Bangalore?Stree Jagruthi Samithi focuses on the rights of domestic workers. They…

This is the letter sent to the BBMP Commissioner on March 14th 2010. Dear Sir, It is observed in our area and confirmed by residents that while digging roads for the purpose of asphalting, workers using JCBs (earth movers) are showing exorbitant arrogance towards woes of residents.   Telephone cables and slabs placed by residents in front of their houses are unnecessarily removed even when the same is not coming inside the portion for asphalting and not replaced after the work. This puts lot of inconvenience and expenditure to hapless residents. No responsible official are available at the time of…