Civic

Dalit student's death: Family says he faced harassment at IIT-Bombay The family of an 18-year-old Dalit student at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, who reportedly died by suicide earlier this week, told NDTV that he had faced caste discrimination on the campus. The first-year student hailed from Ahmedabad and was enrolled in the Bachelors in Technology (Chemical) course at the institution in Mumbai. The institute had earlier said that “discrimination by students, if at all it occurs, is an exception”. However, the institute said that it had carried out two surveys, in 2022, across its campus, to record various forms…

Last budget before polls Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's second budget was presented on February 17th. It included a CM Vidya Shakti Scheme for students and a Gruhani Shakthi scheme for women. Meanwhile, the opposition leaders came to the Assembly with a 'flower-on-the-ear' or 'Kivi Mele Hoove' protest, alleging that the government had fooled the people with false promises. Source: Indian Express Aero India events The 14th edition of the Aero India show 2023, held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, saw a large turnout . About 266 partnerships, including 201 MoUs, 53 major announcements, and nine product launches were firmed…

It was recently reported  that Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had received over Rs 28,000 crore in the past six years. The state government sanctioned over Rs 8,000 crore in 2022-2023 alone. Over 60% of this money has been spent on road works, including flyovers and underpasses. Of the Rs 8, 000 crore sanctioned last year, Rs 6,000 crore is being spent on road works. BBMP has issued work orders for this Rs 6,000 crore in one go, even though the money is meant to be spent over three years. In the Karnataka budget 2023-24, presented on February 17th, Chief Minister…

Chennai is seen as a land of opportunities and has much to offer for those who reside here. Despite attracting many people from other parts of the state and country with hopes of a better future, life in Chennai is not a bed of roses. Many civic issues in Chennai such as bad roads, flooding and pollution make daily life difficult. As the city grows, these issues become more significant and affect a large section of the population. But Chennaiites are not entirely powerless when it comes to finding solutions that can help make the city better. From the Namma…

Many bus routes in Chennai unsuitable for low-floor buses In response to the Madras High Court, the State Transport Department said that 563 bus routes in Chennai are not suitable for running low-floor buses for persons with disabilities to use. There are only 65 routes where such buses can be run. The court had directed the transport department to run low-floor buses on some routes for a feasibility test in Chennai. But the Metropolitan Transport Corporation's buses cannot run on: 130 village routes with narrow roads where the low-floor buses cannot fit. 173 routes that are susceptible to floods. 186…

Highest municipal budget for Mumbai till date On February 4th, Saturday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released its budget estimates for the year 2023-24. The total added up to Rs 52,619.07 crore - a near 15 percentage increase from the previous year and the highest in its history. Over half of the budget is for capital expenditures, to be used for infrastructure and development works. However, despite the eye-popping amount, the civic body had barely spent 40% of its capital expenditure a week before the budget presentation. The allocation for healthcare, fire safety and education dropped, while Rs 800 crore…

Aero India show to be held The 14th Aero India show will be held over five days, from February 13th to 17th. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the show at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka. More than 731 exhibitors will be participating in the event. The show will include aerial displays, a large exhibition and trade fair of aerospace companies. Due to Aero India 2023, commercial flight operations will be partially shut till February 17th. On February 14th, Defence minister Rajnath Singh will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave, even as Aero India is held parallelly. As the Conclave…

Recent news has it that the Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to take steps to counter the menace of posters in Chennai. A battle that our city has been fighting probably from the time when print became a possibility. The latest in the various rather ineffective measures our city fathers (and mothers) have decided upon is to levy a fine of Rs. 200 on those responsible, if the poster is on a wall, and Rs. 500 in case it is on a signboard, provided that a police complaint is made. It must have been quite clear to those who approved…

While most of Chennai roads were dug up for the construction of stormwater drains last year, many residents raised issues about the inconvenience caused during this period. The project highlighted the many problems that come with creating and maintaining civic infrastructure in residential neighbourhoods. An experience much closer to home has made me realise how some processes must be put in place to avoid suffering caused to the residence when civic agencies take up work. No notification of civic work Around two months ago, the space right outside my house in AGS Colony in Velachery was dug up for sewer…

On February 4th, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) presented a budget of Rs 52,619.07 crore for the year 2023-24. This marked a significant moment in the city's history, as Commissioner IS Chahal, serving as an administrator in the absence of an elected council, drafted and then presented and approved the budget. The BMC had earlier invited suggestions on the budget from the public. Chahal told the press that municipal corporation had received 965 suggestions "many of which were incorporated in the budget". Read more: BMC budget wishlist, from various experts in their field He said, "For example, we have allotted Rs…