Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 27 ℃ | Low: 18 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? The National High School in Basavanagudi was established in 1917 by Annie Besant.
🪙 India Blockchain Week
India Blockchain Week (IBW) 2024 returned to Bengaluru, bringing together Web3 industry leaders, developers, and stakeholders for discussions on blockchain-driven innovation, security challenges, and the future of decentralised finance (DeFi).
What’s it about? Hosted by venture capital firm Hashed Emergent, this second edition of IBW built on its 2023 debut, with a focus on security gaps in crypto systems and the nuances of self-custodial wallets.
- A major topic was the increasing need for robust security measures following incidents like the WazirX hack.
- Panel discussions highlighted the complexities of self-custody wallets, which empower users to control private keys but often lead to irreversible losses due to user errors.
Recurring theme: Education and awareness about Web3 and blockchain emerged as a recurring theme at the event. Experts have urged caution for new entrants, stressing the importance of understanding the risks and limitations of existing Web3 tools before fully adopting them.
🌧️ Rainfall average overshot
Bengaluru has already surpassed its December average rainfall of 15.7 mm within the first few days of the month, recording an impressive 80 mm in just three days.
What’s it about? This surge in rainfall follows a deficit in November, where the city recorded only 21.4 mm against a normal of 48.1 mm. Combined, November and December so far have logged 105.4 mm, far exceeding the normal cumulative rainfall of 64.6 mm for the two months.
- The recent heavy showers are attributed to the remnants of Cyclone Fengal, which moved across Peninsular India into the East-Central Arabian Sea.
- This system, along with a cyclonic circulation over the South Bay of Bengal, has maintained the northeasterly winds over the region, resulting in widespread rain.
Predictions: The wet spell is expected to persist, with intermittent light rain or drizzle predicted through December 8. A brief dry period is likely before rainfall resumes with greater intensity and spread between December 11 and 13, especially during evening and night hours.
🚇 Airport metro line
BMRCL is on track to enhance connectivity with the construction of the metro line from KR Puram to Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) via Hebbal.
What’s it about? The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced that the 37-kilometre route, with an estimated cost of ₹9,616.51 crore, is expected to be operational by October 2026.
- An initial target for public use by June 2026 has been set for the Hebbal-to-airport section, with the entire route following shortly after.
- The route is being designed with both elevated and underground sections.
Full route: This metro line will feature 17 stations, including Kasturinagar, Horamavu, HRBR Layout, Kalyana Nagar, HBR Layout, Nagawara, Veerannapalya, Kempapura, Hebbal, Kodigehalli, Jakkur Cross, Yelahanka, Bagalur Cross, Bettahalasuru/Chikkajala, Doddajala, Airport City, and KIAL Terminals.
🏢 15-storey demolition
The Karnataka High Court has ordered the demolition of a 15-storey residential block in Platinum City, located in the Peenya area, due to violations of building norms.
What’s it about? This decision came after the developer, Sheriff Constructions, admitted that demolishing the top portion of the illegal structure would jeopardise the stability of the entire building.
- Justice Suraj Govindaraj directed the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to create a detailed plan for the evacuation and demolition of the structure, granting a deadline of December 11.
- The project, initiated in the 1990s, had no approved building plan despite an authorised development plan.
Case history: Since 2013, the developer has sought occupancy certificates for parts of the complex, but the court found significant violations of BDA regulations. Earlier directives required the removal of illegal portions, but the developer failed to comply, prompting the court to mandate the demolition of the entire block.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you live in a high-rise building?
- I live in a high-rise building.
- I do not live in a high-rise building.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your preferred method of purchasing metro tickets?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Fairfax India will acquire an additional 10% interest in Bangalore International Airport Limited from Siemens.
- POSSPOLE Private Limited and Amity University Bengaluru have signed an MoU wherein the former will be providing workshops, certification programs, faculty development programs and joint incubation programs.
- The BBMP has received several complaints of Assistant Revenue Officers demanding bribes from citizens for issuing e-khatas.
- Bengaluru Bulls clinched a draw from the mouth of victory against Gujarat Giants in a bottom-of-the-table clash.
- The Karnataka HC has quashed the extortion case against Nirmala Sitharaman and other co-accused.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- Bengaluru’s schools should have been closed for the cyclone: 83.3% 🏆
- Bengaluru’s schools should not have been closed for the cyclone: 16.7%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!