Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? Cunningham Road was briefly known as Sampangi Ramaswamy Temple Road.
💦 Cauvery V launch
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced the launch of the Cauvery Phase 5 water supply project on October 16.
What’s it about? A crucial initiative aimed at improving Bengaluru’s water supply, this project is particularly focused on addressing the water needs of the city’s high-altitude regions and boosting its overall water capacity.
- Currently, Bengaluru receives 1,500 million litres per day (MLD) of water through four phases of the Cauvery water supply.
- With the addition of Phase 5, an estimated 50 lakh more people are expected to benefit from an enhanced water supply.
Water treatment plant: One of the major highlights of this phase is the construction of India’s largest water treatment plant, which will have a capacity of 775 MLD. This facility, combined with an extensive pipeline network covering 110 kilometres, will deliver water to various parts of the city, including suburbs and key reservoirs in areas such as Gottigere, Kadugodi, and Chokkanahalli.
🏢 PGs sealed
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) recently sealed 21 Paying Guest (PG) accommodations for failing to comply with new regulatory guidelines.
What’s it about? According to BBMP Special Commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishore, the sealed PGs were primarily operating without valid business licenses, while some lacked basic amenities required for safe and hygienic living conditions.
- These closures are part of a larger crackdown aimed at improving the safety, hygiene, and operational standards of PGs across the city.
- Of the 2,193 registered PGs under BBMP’s jurisdiction, 1,578 are currently compliant with the newly established guidelines, while 615 have been flagged for violations.
Course of action: These non-compliant PGs have been issued notices, with further action, including sealing, to be taken if they fail to meet the standards set forth by the civic body. BBMP officials revealed that three notices had already been sent to the 21 PGs that were shut down, citing their illegal operation and failure to adhere to regulations.
🧑🏽⚖️ NGT notice over lakes
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to officials, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief commissioner, following a Lokayukta report highlighting serious issues with two Bengaluru lakes.
What’s it about? At Vibhutipura Lake, officials noted damaged infrastructure, illegal structures, and a dangerously low water level, even during the rainy season, due to blocked outflow. Similar issues were identified at Doddanekundi Lake.
- The NGT, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, raised concerns about compliance with environmental laws, such as the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment (Protection) Act.
- The NGT has included the BBMP chief commissioner, the chairman of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, member secretaries of the Karnataka and Central Pollution Control Boards, and Bengaluru’s district magistrate (DM) as respondents in the case.
Submission deadline: The DM’s counsel has accepted the notice and requested additional time to submit a reply. The tribunal has directed the other respondents to file their responses by affidavit before the next hearing, scheduled for November 5, 2024, at the tribunal’s southern zonal bench in Chennai.
🚗 Vigilant public
Citizens are increasingly using the Bengaluru Traffic Police’s (BTP) Public Eye app to report traffic violations, enhancing road safety and discipline.
What’s it about? In 2024, an average of 850 violations were reported daily, with around 600 cases resulting in police action. As of August 2024, 2,55,048 violations were uploaded, leading to 2,13,048 cases being booked.
- Compared to 2023, where 3,14,564 violations were reported and 2,43,116 resulted in penalties, the app continues to be a valuable tool for enforcing traffic rules.
- Since its launch in September 2015, over 19 lakh violations have been uploaded, resulting in 16 lakh cases and corresponding fines.
Use case: The app allows citizens to submit photos or videos of traffic violations, provided the violation and the vehicle’s registration number are visible. If confirmed, the violator is fined accordingly.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you seen the Cauvery River?
- I have seen the Cauvery River.
- I have not seen the Cauvery River.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Are PGs better than hostels for college days?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In Other News…
- The Bengaluru North University’s UUCMS portal was hacked and marks of the failed students were increased.
- BMRCL’s new draft parking policy has proposed subsidised rates for long-duration parking.
- 101 acres of encroached forest land have been recovered over the past year.
- US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrapped up his Global Tour for World Mental Health Day in the city.
- The BBMP will celebrate a ‘festival of dogs’ on October 17.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!