Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? The HBR in HBR Layout stands for Hennur-Bellary.
🏏 New National Cricket Academy
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has launched the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in the city, now called the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
What’s it about? This state-of-the-art facility aims to develop the future stars of Indian cricket, emphasising comprehensive training, advanced coaching, and holistic support. Spearheaded by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, the facility includes multiple practice pitches, cutting-edge sports science labs, video analysis tools, and data-driven insights.
- The centre focuses on both physical and mental conditioning for players, offering programs in nutrition, rehabilitation, and sports psychology.
- The centre will cater to both male and female athletes, promoting gender equality and aiming to develop exceptional cricketers.
For coaches too: The centre will also serve as a training hub for coaches, offering workshops, seminars, and clinics to educate them on modern coaching techniques. This emphasis on coaching excellence is expected to elevate player performance and strengthen India’s cricketing ecosystem.
🛣️ Road widening allowed
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced that the Ministry of Defence has agreed to transfer 12.34 acres of army land to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for road widening between Lower Agaram and Sarjapur, with an additional 10.77 acres to follow.
What’s it about? The BBMP plans to construct a new seven-kilometre road in two phases. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time from MG Road to Bellandur, cutting it down from one hour to approximately five to eight minutes.
- Shivakumar thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Lieutenant General Basant Kumar Repswal for their support in securing the land.
- BBMP has already started the tender process for the first 3.5-kilometre phase, which is estimated to cost ₹35 crore.
Need for extension: The remaining 10.77 acres of land are required to extend the road by an additional four kilometres towards Sarjapur Road. This extension will further alleviate traffic congestion between the city centre and the IT hub located around Bellandur.
🚨 FIR against Sitharaman
An FIR has been lodged against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others, following a city court’s order, over allegations related to the now-defunct electoral bonds scheme.
What’s it about? The case involves charges under various sections of the IPC, including extortion (384), criminal conspiracy (120B), and shared intent (34). The complaint was filed by Adarsh R Iyer, Co-President of Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath (JSP), accusing Sitharaman and BJP officials.
- The allegations involve Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra and Nalin Kumar Kateel, of extorting over ₹8,000 crore disguised as electoral bonds.
- Iyer alleges that Sitharaman, with assistance from Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, facilitated the siphoning of large sums for personal benefit at state and national levels.
CM demands resignation: CM Siddaramaiah, facing scrutiny over a separate land allotment case involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), has called for Sitharaman’s resignation and criticised the BJP for not protesting her alleged involvement in the electoral bonds controversy.
💣 Taj bomb hoax
A bomb threat email sent to the Taj West End luxury hotel on Saturday was confirmed to be a hoax, according to the city police.
What’s it about? The hotel had received the threat early in the morning, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and other teams thoroughly searched the premises but found no explosives.
- Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shekhar H Tekkannavar, stated that the threat was false, and an investigation is underway to identify the individual responsible for the hoax email.
- This incident follows a similar scare at the Army Public School in Ashok Nagar around ten days ago, where an email claimed a bomb would be placed on the school grounds.
Recent surge: The city has recently witnessed a surge in hoax bomb threats. These threats have targeted various locations, including schools and public places such as the Kempegowda International Airport.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Would you consider yourself a better bowler or a batter?
- I am a better batter than a bowler.
- I am a better bowler than a batter.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s the ideal width for a road to reduce traffic congestion?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In Other News…
- Housing prices jumped 29% in the city during the July-September quarter.
- Metro services between ITPL and Whitefield were suspended due to a technical glitch.
- Bengaluru FC thrashed Mohun Bagan 3-0 in their ISL clash.
- The city police busted a ₹6 crore crypto conversion racket.
- BBMP plans to install 200 new kiosks for the cobblers it had earlier evicted.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!