BBMP

BBMP will start removing unauthorised hoardings put up by various organisations and individuals to commemorate birthday wishes, condolences, best wishes, etc on roadsides and tree branches. These cutouts, boards, posters and flex banners are spoiling the cityscape and are a punishable offence. Action will be taken as per Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act. The following action has been undertaken as per the Commissioners orders issued on 6-1-2012: 1)      In East Bangalore - 30 flexes, 18 banners removed. 2)      In West - Rajajinagar, Sanjaynagar, Vyalikaval, etc 26 cutouts, 40 flexes, and 35 banners removed. 3)      In South - 73…

Measures taken by BBMP to collect property tax above 1 lakh rupees from defaulters are being effective, especially the Drum Beating Program and announcement of defaulters names in various media. Bagmane Tech Park has paid 10 crore rupees of overdue property tax. Many other organizations and individuals are also taking this issue of paying the tax seriously even before BBMP issues notices and arrives in front of their buildings with the drum beaters to save themselves from embarrasment. BBMP Press Release dated 3 Jan 2012 ⊕

BBMP has decided to allocate a certain time for public grievances keeping in mind the productivity and security of BBMP staff during working hours. Hence visiting hours between 3pm to 5pm is dedicated to public grievances in all BBMP offices. The staff will not attend to public during the other working hours. This is as per the notification issued on 2-1-2012. ⊕

As per BBMP Commissioner's instructions, a lot of unauthorised OFC cables have been identified and immediately removed in BBMP's South, East and Mahadevapura Zone. The particulars are as follows: Zone Date Total length of OFC cable removed South Zone Vijaynagar and Gali Anjaneya Temple area 23-12-2011 24-12-2011 8,865 meters East Zone 27-12-2011 29-12-2011 1,218 meters 758 meters Mahadevapura Zone 29-12-2011 21,500 meters Total length    32,341 meters    ⊕

On 19 December Members of the Karnataka Raithara Mathu Vyaparigala Okoota (Karnataka Farmers and Traders Federation) staged a protest the government's plan to build a commercial building in the santhe maidana (market) at KR Puram. The santhe maidana has a been a market place for years now. More than 3000 traders and farmers do their regular business in this market area. Farmers and Traders take out padayatra. Pic: Subramaniam Vincent The members who were on a padayatra, were seen wearing outfits made of gunny bags. "This is something we sit on, use it as a blanket and even to pack…

Construction wastes and unwanted materials on pedestrian footpaths have been creating a hindrance to vehicular traffic and do not present a pretty picture of the city. BBMP had already made several requests to the public not to dispose of the construction material remains on footpaths and drains. Penalty was imposed when people were caught red-handed disposing the construction materials. But in spite of all this the bad practice has continued. Hence BBMP has identified about 20 unused quarry pits around the city where the people can leave construction waste. The following are the places identified: K.R Puram       - Haralooru…

The Kolaveri phenomenon still rages. Literally translated, the word means 'murderous rage', as is widely known by now. The video spawned off Kolaveri derivatives in several languages, some comical, some serious. On December 5th, BBMP was put at receiving end of at least one of them. An upset citizen and Youtube user, Debashish Ghosh shot off a video asking 'Why this Kolaveri?' of BBMP. The city corporation recently won a High Court case on it's massive tree cutting plan along Sankey Road to widen the corridor to Yeshwantpur. The video is a drive with the lush canopy of trees on…

Kaikondrahalli lake along Sarjapur road, whose rejuvenation is being spearheaded by some active residents along with BBMP, is under the threat of encroachment now. While local corporator and MLA are demanding that the lake land be acquired for widening of Sarjapur road, another group is trying to build a temple in the north-east side of the lake. Fencing on side was completed smoothly. Pic: Navya PK In September, when the fencing around lake perimeter was in progress, some anti-social elements had opposed it, threatening the BBMP contractor and officials who were in charge of the work. Residents nearby say that…

Around 100 people gathered at Bhashyam Circle early on 4 December, Sunday morning to walk down the Sankey road towards Maramma Circle. Young and old bid their farewell. Pic: Vani Murthy It was a walk to symbolise the voice of people who fought to save the trees from the road-widening project. The court has given a go ahead for the project and people are left wondering as to what can be done to save trees that are so vital to the environment. There were around 50 cyclists from the Go Green Club, who strongly believe that conserving the environment is…

For BBMP, even developing lakes mean building more concrete structures. In this year's budget plans, BBMP has included the plan to install a 32-feet bronze Vivekananda statue in Yediyur lake in Jayanagar. Rs 1.5 cr is set aside for this.BBMP is yet to call tenders for the project, but on November 22nd Yediyur Corporator N R Ramesh attempted to drain out water from the lake. He was stopped by about 20 local residents who were also members of environmental organisations Hasiru Usiru (HU) and ESG.The workers with Ramesh had already destroyed the RCC concrete structure in a corner of the…