Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 25 ℃ | Low: 18 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Pillion riders not wearing helmets are the most frequently fined violators by the city traffic police.
✈️ Third-busiest airport for international passengers
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has become India’s third-busiest airport for international passengers, overtaking Chennai and Kochi.
What’s it about? KIA handled 4.8 lakh international passengers in October, surpassing Chennai (4.5 lakh) and Kochi (4.1 lakh), but trailing Delhi (17.5 lakh) and Mumbai (12.5 lakh).
- This marked a 24.3% year-on-year growth for Bengaluru, which had only 3.9 lakh international passengers in October 2023.
- In September 2024, Bengaluru ranked fifth with 4.39 lakh international passengers, behind Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi.
Domestic third too: KIA also ranked third in domestic passenger traffic, recording 30.8 lakh domestic passengers in October 2024, behind Delhi (46.8 lakh) and Mumbai (31.6 lakh). Combined domestic and international figures placed Bengaluru third overall, with 35.7 lakh passengers, following Delhi (64.4 lakh) and Mumbai (44.2 lakh).
🤑 Avail OTS
Bengaluru property owners have been urged to settle their taxes promptly under the One Time Relief Scheme (OTS) offered by the BBMP and the state government, which waives interest and penalties on overdue taxes.
What’s it about? The scheme, expiring in a few days, provides significant financial relief. Non-compliance by the November 30 deadline will result in penalties that could more than double the tax liabilities starting December 1.
- BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has emphasised the urgency, urging property owners to take advantage of the scheme.
- Post-OTS, the BBMP aims to collect ₹4,000 crore in property taxes.
Made convenient: The tax payment process has been streamlined with both online and offline options. The BBMP’s official website allows for convenient online payments, eliminating the need for physical visits to BBMP offices.
🚺 Women commercial drivers
The Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE) will be distributing over 80 commercial driving licenses to women today.
What’s it about? This initiative aims to boost women’s representation in the male-dominated transportation sector and respond to the growing demand for female drivers, particularly among women passengers who feel safer travelling with female drivers at night.
- Beyond securing jobs with taxi services, the training programs conducted by AWAKE equip women to start ventures such as tour agencies, service centres, and car wash facilities.
- Through collaboration with a local driving school, AWAKE has already trained over 60 women, many of whom are employed by services like GoPink, Bengaluru’s all-women taxi service.
Government support: To further support this effort, AWAKE is planning a regional driving training centre for women in Bidadi, a ₹10-crore project supported by the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
🏢 OpenText’s CoE
OpenText, the global enterprise information management firm, has opened a new 70,000 sq. ft. Center of Excellence (CoE) at the Embassy Golf Links Road.
What’s it about? This launch follows the recent opening of a facility in Hyderabad, reflecting OpenText’s 15% annual workforce growth in the country. Over the past two years, the Bengaluru office has seen a remarkable 194% increase in headcount, tripling its workforce.
- India is now OpenText’s largest innovation hub globally.
- India plays a pivotal role in driving OpenText’s 3.0 strategy, per the company President, which focuses on global innovation, AI integration, cybersecurity, and DevOps.
Developing local talent: OpenText has been heavily investing in local talent through structured apprenticeship and upskilling initiatives, enabling growth across key business areas such as engineering, professional services, customer support, IT, finance, and cloud operations. Its workforce in India now exceeds 6,000 employees, spread across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever commuted via KIA’s Terminal 2?
- I have commuted via KIA’s Terminal 2.
- I have not commuted via KIA’s Terminal 2.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How would you prefer the BBMP to better utilise your taxes?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bengaluru hospitals are witnessing a surge in flu and influenza cases amidst a drop in temperatures.
- Residents of BTM Layout II Stage are at risk of contracting gastrointestinal and related infections due to seepage of sewage into the Main Cauvery Line.
- The Forest Department is seeking action against BBMP officials for the axing of trees in Rajarajeshwarinagar.
- Prologis and RMZ have partnered to develop a 500,000 sq ft logistics park in Bengaluru, marking RMZ’s entry into the industrial and logistics sector and Prologis’ return to India after 17 years.
- Rameshwaram Cafe is aiming to enter Delhi in 2025.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have commuted via the HAL airport: 57.9% 🏆
- I have not commuted via the HAL airport: 42.1%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which automobile brand do you like the most and why?
Narang: “Mclaren cause they have been so dominant recently in Formula 1”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!