bangalore journal

The High Court has ruled in favour of the citizens in the Agara-sirisi corridor project. The order essentially says ‘hear them out,' to the State and BDA. For the moment, the order comes as relief to thousands of Koramangala residents who have fought a prolonged battle for almost a year and a little too late for the numerous trees that were surreptitiously cut, even before the project formally took off.The Rs 119 crores project at four junctions - Jakkasandra (flyover), Koramangala 80 feet road (underpass), Krupanidhi College (underpass) and St John's hospital-Koramangala 100 feet road junction (flyover and underpass), kicked…

Earlier in May 2012, the Outer Ring Road between Marathahalli and Kadubeesanahalli gridlocked following a heavy downpour and the flooding of the underpass, one section (south going) of which was completed. The BDA Chief Engineer TN Chikkarayappa says, “We will collect fines from the contractors for all the violations once the work is completed.” Work in progress at the Kadubeesanahalli underpass. Pic: Anisha Nair The Rs 39.8 crores project contracted to Simplex Infrastructure Ltd., has been delayed. The deadline for completion of the underpass work was July this year. It has been extended to August now. The work will be…

The fate of the long-delayed housing project at Ejipura’s Economically Weaker Section (EWS) colony hangs on an affidavit filed by BBMP Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda on July 24th. The High Court had instructed BBMP on July 18th to submit the affidavit on its plan of action over the reconstruction of 1512 houses. BBMP Commissioner Shankar Linge Gowda coming out of the court after the hearing. Pic: Sankar C G The order came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by 12 original allottees of quarters at the EWS colony, who are no longer living there. They were residents of the previous…

The High Court on July 25, 2012, disposed off the PIL by ordering a final stay on the Sirsi-Agara flyover construction work till the time the CM appointed committee submits their report. Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice Aravind Kumar ordered the stay. Flyover work - water tank junction. Pic: Anisha Nair The BDA counsel submitted that the Chief Minister has already formed a committee to study this project and take into account the citizens’ grievances. According to HC order, the Government will also have to issue an advertisement in papers inviting the public, to attend the hearing and voice…

In the last two months two people were attacked in South Bangalore. The first incident took place in BTM layout 1st stage where a woman was attacked by an intoxicated person and the recent attack in Jayanagar 4th T block by a man, suspected to be mentally unsound. In both cases, lodging FIRs was an uphill task. Family members of both the victims are concerned the way the cases were handled and fear that these incidents might repeat in the near future.On 18th July midnight, Suman’s (name changed upon request) family in Jayanagar woke up to loud screams of her…

To handle stress at his workplace, an IT professional recently attended a counselling session. He says, “The initial information was extremely useful and welcome. The service provided by the consultant was very beneficial.” He was referring to the session at NIMHANS (National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) Wellbeing Centre, a community centre for mental health promotion located at BTM Layout 1st Stage. NIMHANS urban wellness centre in BTM Layout. Pic: Abhishek Angad Stress can sneak in without a hint. Unchecked, this results in lack of sleep, depression and other stress related issues. To catch such mental health problems…

One of the three stone cutting units ordered to shut down in April is still functioning. While KSPCB says BESCOM has been asked to cut power supply, BESCOM officials say they haven’t received any written order in this regard. This stone cutting unit is located in the Bank of Baroda colony in JP Nagar 7th Phase. KSPCB had earlier ordered all the units to shut down by 30th April. Stone cutting unit. Pic: Yograj S Mudalgi Sadiq Ahmed, Senior Environmental Officer, KSPCB reiterates that the action has been taken. He says, “We have ordered the BESCOM officials to cut the…

Seema Vijay, 29, hardly goes out of her house alone after 7pm. Seema stays in the posh JP Nagar 2nd phase, next to JP Nagar Cultural Association. But after 7, the roads here are dark and isolated, and harassment is common. Women rarely walk around alone at night here.There is a playground near the club, which has only added to women’s woes. Though a ‘public’ place, only boys and men use the ground. In the evenings especially, women stay away from this area as they are harassed and commented on by men hanging around in the ground. There have been…

More often than not, talented children drop out of sports when they reach tenth standard; to perform well in board exams. But Ashritha Bharadwaj, is an exception. She continued to win medals even while studying for the all important, tenth standard exams. She also secured 90 percent. The medals she won, decorate a wall at her home. Ashritha Bharadwaj - Swimming athlete. Pic: Anisha Nair She has won 11 national level awards in swimming and aquatic championships so far. She lives with her parents Nagesh and Srividya Bharadwaj in JP Nagar. Her father is a businessman and mother a teacher…

Gender roles in our society is a much debated topic. How do other living beings handle this? Let’s take birds as an example.It seems to be the general rule (with a few exceptions, of course) that the female of the species is always duller, and less brightly coloured than the male. Here’s a beautiful bird that can often be seen in Lalbagh.... the male Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Male Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Pic: Deepa Mohan As you can see, this is a spectacular bird, and it definitely catches the attention of the observer as it flies around, flaunting that ribbon of…