Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: Partly cloudy with high humidity.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru’s Whitefield neighbourhood was created in the late 1800s as a settlement for the city’s Eurasians and Anglo-Indians. Up until the late 1990s, Whitefield was a small, charming area on the eastern outskirts of Bangalore, but the local IT boom transformed it into a significant neighbourhood.
🌲 BBMP approves cutting of 800 trees
According to the deputy conservator of forests and tree officer, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has authorised the destruction of over 800 trees for three key projects in the city.
What’s it about? The reconstruction of the Yeshwantpur railway station, a road-widening initiative by the Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDCL), and a metro project in the Kempapura neighbourhood are among the projects that have been authorised.
Yeshwantpur station: During the public notice period, the South Western Railway’s proposal to renovate the Yeshwantpur railway station received just a single objection. The lone concern was about the city’s declining greenery and suggested substitute ideas that wouldn’t require removing trees.
- The tree officer, after evaluation, has ordered the cutting down of 141 trees while preserving 79 trees and relocating 33.
KRDCL project: This project, which intends to rehabilitate a 5-km section of road between Gunjur and Belathur, also received one objection. The agency plans to enlarge the road and establish a signal-free corridor because the existing section is overcrowded and is inside BBMP boundaries.
- 480 trees will be cut, 163 trees will be retained, and 82 will be relocated, per the tree officer’s order.
ORR-Airport Metro line: This project received 97 objections. 203 trees will be cut, 14 trees will be retained, and 43 will be relocated, per the tree officer’s order.
🌇 BBMP withdraws OCs of Sobha City
Sobha City, a project built and offered for sale by Sobha Ltd on Bengaluru’s Thanisandra Main Road, had its OC revoked by the BBMP on Sunday. According to reports, the apartment’s two-bedroom units range in price from ₹90 lakh to ₹1.30 crore.
What’s it about? The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) alleged that Sobha City submitted a false no objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire Department to obtain building plans. This led to the withdrawal of the occupancy certificate (OC) for about 2,000 apartments at the apartment complex Sobha City in Thanisandra Main Road.
- A Sobha City apartment owner named Srinivas Rao Talla requested an investigation from the civic organisation, which led to the BBMP taking action.
- The investigation found that the builder gained the local body’s permission for the building plan and OC by submitting a false NOC from the fire department.
Developer’s response: On the other hand, a Sobha spokesperson guaranteed that the builder complies with the laws and that the necessary corrective action will be taken. This situation, the spokesperson noted, will not impact any of the residents living in Sobha City.
📮 Bengaluru students write letters to CM Bommai
On Friday, approximately 2,000 schoolchildren from Bengaluru sent letters to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai pleading with his administration to terminate the proposed Sankey flyover’s development.
What’s it about? The students signed a postcard with their message and mailed it to Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha, where the chief minister’s office is located. One of the pupils’ messages to Bommai stated, “Dear Bommai uncle, please preserve our environment; we do not want the Sankey flyover.” The students study at various schools in the Sadashivnagar, Sankey Tank, and Malleswaram areas.
- The project, which would result in the removal of 40 trees from the Malleshwaram region, is viewed as an environmental mistake by environmental activists.
- The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) originally suggested the four-lane flyover to reduce the area’s excessive traffic.
The past: When the project was initially suggested in 2011, it caused a lot of controversies and raised doubts about the government’s intentions. Even though the locals had petitioned the Karnataka High Court, the court ruled in favour of the BBMP and approved the flyover’s construction.
- The BBMP also put out the idea of moving the trees to another area, but the residents did not agree to it.
🏬 CM inaugurates world’s largest coworking space
The largest coworking space in the world, with 8,000 seats exclusively for startups, has launched in Bengaluru thanks to BHIVE Workspace, a flexible and managed office provider.
What’s it about? The coworking facility, which spans 2 acres and is located in HSR Layout, provides a wide range of retail options, including food and drinks, a sports arena, and concierge services. It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai.
- The facility is home to some of the most well-known startups across all industries. Owing to its cutting-edge facilities, infrastructure, and added-value services, it has been gaining popularity quickly.
- The startup community has embraced BHIVE Workspace greatly, with 50% of the available seats already filled.
Big player: With more than 25,000 seats overall, BHIVE Workspace is one of the major suppliers of shared office space in the nation and has over 1 million square feet of space in Bengaluru.
- In order to help the state’s developing startup environment, the firm plans to triple the number of seats it offers in the upcoming year.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you like yourself more in formal attire or casual attire?
- I look my best in formal clothing.
- Casuals bring out the best in me.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Have you taken autographs from any famous personality? If not, whose autograph would you like to get?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- UP government holds a roadshow in Bengaluru to attract investors.
- Third sinkhole emerges on Bengaluru roads in a span of just two weeks.
- Egg prices remain high even after Sankranti.
- Milk supply takes a hit because of vehicle owners’ strike.
- Expectations for Karnataka’s digital economy in Budget 2023.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have donated blood: 70.6% 🏆
- I have not donated blood: 29.4%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!