Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru was the first city in India to give free access to Wi-Fi (Namma Wi-Fi).
🚂 Bengaluru-Mangaluru services resume
South Western Railway has announced the resumption of train services on the crucial Bengaluru-Mangaluru route, following a prolonged disruption.
What’s it about? The initial landslide incident, which occurred in the early hours of August 10 between Ballupet and Sakleshpur, led to the immediate suspension of train services on the route.
- The rail line, a vital transportation corridor connecting Karnataka’s two major cities, had been severely impacted by the incessant rainfall in the region.
- Three overnight trains operating between Bengaluru and Mangaluru/Karwar were consequently short-terminated.
Repair process: Restoration efforts were hindered by the subsequent landslides on the same stretch, delaying the repair process, due to which the railway authorities faced a formidable challenge in stabilising the affected area and ensuring the safety of passengers.
🏗️ New real estate hotspot?
A new report by CRE Matrix predicts significant growth for Northwestern Bengaluru’s real estate market, particularly in residential areas like Peenya, Rajajinagar, Yeshwanthpur, and Malleshwaram.
What’s it about? These regions are poised to see faster growth in property prices and sales compared to other parts of Bengaluru over the next five years. One key factor driving this growth is the high demand-to-supply ratio of housing units here, currently the highest in the city at 1.7x.
- A seller’s market has been created with significantly more buyers than available homes in the region.
- Despite housing a substantial 27% of Bengaluru’s population, Northwestern Bengaluru currently accounts for only 6% of the city’s annual residential sales.
Connectivity boost incoming: The report also highlights the crucial role of upcoming infrastructure projects worth ₹16,000 crore in improving the region’s connectivity, including the expansion of the metro network, aiming to significantly reduce travel time.
💣 Hoax bomb threats
Bengaluru has been on edge following two hoax bomb threats within a 24-hour period.
What’s it about? The first incident targeted the city’s Kempegowda International Airport, while the second was aimed at the American multinational company, Broadcom. The Broadcom threat was delivered via email, prompting an immediate evacuation and a thorough search by authorities.
- Despite the scare, the threat was ultimately determined to be a hoax.
- The Puttenahalli police are investigating the incident, suspecting the use of a VPN to mask the perpetrator’s identity.
Drunk dialler: The second incident involved a phone call to the Bengaluru airport claiming the presence of bombs at both Chennai and Bengaluru airports. However, the caller quickly retracted the threat, attributing it to intoxication.
🚚 Crackdown on lorries
In response to a surge in fatal accidents involving lorries, the Bengaluru Transport Department has initiated a strict crackdown on commercial vehicle drivers.
What’s it about? The move comes after two recent incidents where pedestrians and two-wheeler riders lost their lives due to collisions with garbage and tipper lorries. The department has instructed all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to conduct mandatory inspections of vehicles and drivers.
- The focus is on identifying and penalising drivers with invalid licenses, those driving under the influence of alcohol, and those who violate traffic rules.
- To ensure compliance, RTOs have been given a week to submit detailed reports.
Fines await: Violators face hefty fines, as per the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The crackdown aims to improve road safety and deter reckless driving among commercial vehicle operators in the city.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you been to Mangaluru?
- I have been to Mangaluru.
- I have not been to Mangaluru.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which’s the best place to invest in a property – Peenya, Rajajinagar, Yeshwanthpur, or Malleshwaram?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Two people were injured in a cooker blast near JP Nagar’s Udupi Upahara.
- Actor Darshan reportedly fainted in Parappana Agrahara as the court extended his judicial custody.
- Motorists are using speed-camera detection apps to avoid fines on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
- The RR Nagar flyover has been delayed due to land acquisition issues.
- Bengaluru schools are seeking a ban on smartwatches within school campuses.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- BMTC drivers generally drive rashly: 82.3% 🏆
- BMTC drivers do not generally drive rashly: 17.7%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!