Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru was the suicide capital of India in the early 2010s with a rate of 35 suicides per 1 lakh people.
🛣️ Pothole filling deadline
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has given the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) a 15-day deadline to fill all potholes in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? Shivakumar stated that BBMP has identified 2,795 potholes across the city, with repairs costing ₹660 crore. He also said that compared to previous years, the impact of rains has lessened, but road conditions still require urgent attention.
- The step came in response to mounting concerns from residents and the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA).
- Residents have been encouraged to report potholes via the Raste Gundi Gamana app.
ORRCA’s complaint: This directive follows ORRCA’s urgent appeal to the Karnataka government to address infrastructure issues, particularly in the IT corridor along Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR). ORRCA highlighted ongoing problems such as waterlogging, flooding, and traffic congestion, which worsen during the monsoon season, turning roads into hazardous areas for commuters.
🏏 Mysore beats Bengaluru
Mysore Warriors clinched the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 title by defeating Bengaluru Blasters by 45 runs in the final at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
What’s it about? Skipper Karun Nair (66 off 45 balls) and SU Karthik (71 off 44 balls) laid the foundation with vital half-centuries, while Manoj Bhandage’s explosive 44* off just 13 balls propelled Mysore to a formidable 207/4 in their 20 overs.
- In response, Bengaluru Blasters struggled against a disciplined Mysore bowling attack, led by Vidyadhar Patil (3/19) and K Gowtham (2/23).
- Despite a valiant 51-run effort from Chethan LR, Bengaluru could only manage 162/8, falling short by 45 runs.
Team effort: Mysore’s victory was anchored by a solid start in the powerplay, with Karthik dominating early on. His partnership with Karun added 81 runs before Karthik was dismissed in the 14th over. Karun, who initially scored at a steady pace, accelerated in the final overs, with Bhandage’s late onslaught ensuring Mysore crossed the 200-run mark.
🌊 Chickpet’s drainage upgrade
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has announced a ₹9.5 crore investment to upgrade road and drainage infrastructure in Bengaluru’s Chickpet assembly constituency.
What’s it about? The project will focus on key areas such as Kalasipalya bus stand, Dharmaraya Swamy temple, Siddapura, Mavalli, and surrounding neighbourhoods. Specific localities to benefit include Badamaken, Annipura, Kumabaragundi, and Narayanapura, among others.
- The BBMP has already issued tenders and selected contractors and expects construction to begin soon, with completion targeted within three months.
- The initiative aims to improve connectivity, address drainage issues, and enhance overall infrastructure quality in these vital areas.
Umbrella project: The development is part of broader civic efforts across the city. The project aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance urban infrastructure in response to growing civic needs.
😷 Masks banned
Bengaluru supermarkets have begun banning face masks in response to a surge in thefts, where criminals use masks to hide their identities.
What’s it about? This policy change follows significant losses reported by stores, especially in areas like Kengeri, where two supermarkets experienced thefts amounting to approximately ₹3 lakh in the past month. CCTV footage revealed that thieves used masks to avoid detection, leading store management to enforce the mask ban.
- Thieves typically conceal stolen items in personal bags or under their clothing, paying for only a few inexpensive items at checkout to avoid suspicion.
- While larger stores often prevent customers from bringing bags inside, smaller outlets lack such security measures, making them more vulnerable to theft.
Minor crime: Store employees report that thefts are often not taken seriously by the police due to the relatively small amounts involved, usually between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000. Thieves also tend to operate in groups and avoid returning to the same store, making it difficult to track and apprehend them.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Does the immediate road leading to your house have potholes?
- The immediate road leading to my house has potholes.
- The immediate road leading to my house does not have potholes.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which sport/game do you play regularly?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- DCM DKS has claimed Bengaluru roads to be better than Delhi’s.
- Multiple potholes have developed in and around the Majestic bus stand.
- 89 new IT tech parks are set to come up across Whitefield, Bellandur, Koramangala, and other areas in the city.
- BEML has rolled out the first driverless metro trainsets for BMRCL.
- Crompton has completed the LED street lighting project for NHAI’s road project in the city.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have travelled on a Vande Bharat train: 50.0% 🏆
- I have not travelled on a Vande Bharat train: 50.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Who’s your emergency contact?
Santhosh: “One and only, my brother.”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!