Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 28 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru has more migrants than natives with the latter being 41% of the city’s population.
🍺 India’s best bar
The list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 2024 has been unveiled, with ZLB23 in The Leela Palace Bengaluru being the only Indian bar to feature, ranked 40th.
What’s it about? This Kyoto-inspired speakeasy has been named the best bar in India for 2024. Located within The Leela Palace, it maintains an air of secrecy with its Prohibition-era charm, velvet curtains, and crystal chandeliers.
- The bar offers live jazz, small bites, and unique cocktails, such as the Japanese Old Fashioned and Shiso Negroni.
- Additionally, Yangdup Lama of New Delhi’s Sidecar was honoured with the Roku Industry Icon Award 2024, recognising his significant contributions to the cocktail culture in India.
Extended list: The announcement of Asia’s best bars also included an extended list (51-100), featuring four other Indian bars: The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai) at 59th, Lair (New Delhi) at 68th, Sidecar (New Delhi) at 84th, and Home (New Delhi) at 96th.
🛫 Six locations for airport
The Karnataka government has identified six potential locations for a second international airport in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? Minister for Industries and Infrastructure Development, MB Patil, announced this in the Legislative Council, emphasising the need for a second airport within a 50-60 km radius of the city.
- The identified locations are Tumakuru Road, Mysuru Road, Kunigal Road, Kanakapura Road, Doddaballapur, and Dobbspet.
- In response to a query from BJP’s KS Naveen, Patil clarified that there are no plans to build an airport beyond 60 km from Bengaluru.
Contractual limitations: Mr Patil mentioned that the existing agreement between the civil aviation ministry and Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) prohibits establishing another airport within a 150-km radius of BIAL until 2033. However, the government will proceed with land acquisition once a location is finalised.
🚗 Parking policy needed
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara emphasised the need for a comprehensive “Parking Policy” to address Bengaluru’s traffic congestion.
What’s it about? Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, he highlighted the lack of infrastructure and regulatory mechanisms for parking, noting that vehicles parked on both sides of the roads significantly hinder traffic flow.
- Parameshwara stressed the necessity of a collaborative approach involving the transport department, BBMP, and other stakeholders.
- Despite designating 1,194 roads as no-parking zones, illegal parking remains prevalent.
The proposal: Parameshwara proposed that building permissions should mandate parking provisions and called for the implementation of fines for parking violations.
🚗 New P&W centre
US aerospace major Pratt & Whitney has inaugurated a new Customer Service Centre in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? This facility, part of Pratt & Whitney’s India Capability Centre, aims to enhance global customer service and operations support for Pratt & Whitney Canada’s 68,000 engines in service worldwide.
- The CSS will provide services including MRO support, spare part management, engine leasing, engine reliability analysis, and contract administration.
- It will employ over 150 aerospace experts and engineers to support a global customer service ecosystem.
Wide-ranging support: The centre is set to serve a large range of clients, including domestic and global airlines, original equipment manufacturers, MROs, regulatory bodies, and small operators.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been to ZLB23?
- I have been to ZLB23.
- I have not been to ZLB23.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Among the six, what will be the best location for the second airport?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Several Bengaluru founders have come out in criticism of the ‘Kannadiga Reservation Bill’.
- A dhoti-clad farmer and his son were denied entry to the GT Mall due to the place’s ‘dress code’.
- A special train will run between Bengaluru and Kalaburagi to clear the weekend rush.
- Bengaluru’s rental housing market has recorded up to 10% price correction in the April-June quarter.
- CM Siddaramiah has scheduled a legislators’ meet to discuss the Greater Bengaluru Bill.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I am a fan of Kannada movies: 43.8%
- I’m not a fan of Kannada movies: 56.2% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!