Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌦️ Today’s weather: Thunder and rainfall in some parts.
🧐 Did you know? Popular Kannada writer who wrote under the pen name Srinivasa was from Gandhi Bazaar, Bengaluru.
🛫 IndiaJets kicks off
India’s first subscription-based aviation start-up has commenced operations with a new programme.
Story so far: IndiaJets, a Bengaluru-based start-up, has launched its subscription-based aviation operations with the IndiaJets Aircraft Membership programme. The company has raised $500,000 in seed funding and currently operates a 6-seat business jet at the HAL airport.
- This programme enables business owners and senior management professionals to access private aircraft without having to own one or oversee its care.
- Subscribers can purchase a share size fit for their annual flight requirements for a fixed monthly amount and hourly rate without hiring personnel or spending on hangar rent.
The future: In the future, IndiaJets plans to add 32 more aircraft ranging from medium to large jets. CEO John Kuruvilla noted that private jet ownership in India is stymied by high costs, monthly operations, and maintenance expenses.
🕳️ BBMP addresses drain concerns
Recent incidents have added to the fears of Bengalureans who live near inadequately de-silted drains.
Story so far: With the monsoon around the corner, residents are concerned about the incomplete desilting of drains and evictions from possibly dysfunctional stormwater drains, which could result in severe flooding during the approaching monsoons. Authorities have acknowledged the inconvenience faced and assured that the work has begun.
- Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials attribute the delay to election duties that lasted for a month.
- In cases of encroachment where the BBMP served them notices, the matter was taken to the courts.
Other measures: BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath appointed nodal officers from several agencies to oversee rain-related relief projects. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked the district officials to clear the roads of fallen trees and damaged poles. He directed them to take preventive measures.
💸 Panic at the petrol pumps
Misleading social media messages are creating chaos at fuel stations.
Story so far: Petrol pumps in Bengaluru are experiencing a new type of crisis, as the outlets are sparring with customers and refusing to accept ₹2,000 currency notes. The government’s decision to withdraw ₹2000 notes has fuelled some unforeseen confusion and conflict across the country.
- Petrol pump workers are reportedly only allowing people to fuel up if they’re willing to pay digitally, and not with the ‘big note’.
- On Monday, the Akhila Karnataka Federation of Petroleum Dealers wrote to the RBI about its concerns over the influx of the notes and tax authorities questioning petroleum dealers over their remittance in excess than usual.
Why it matters? The withdrawal of the ₹2,000 notes has caused chaos despite the RBI’s notification that they will remain legal tender post-September 30. Some social media messages are to be blamed.
🔍 Which subways should you avoid?
Deccan Herald finds in its survey that some subways aren’t fully risk-free.
Story so far: The recent deluge in parts of Bengaluru has raised concerns about the resistance of the city’s subways against heavy rainfall and the potential risks to commuters. Reporters from the Deccan Herald visited some of them to spotlight their vulnerabilities.
- The pedestrian underpass at KR Circle has a tiny cleavage that leads the water to drain. Its utility during heavy downpours is debatable.
- The pedestrian subway in Yeshwantpur is prone to frequent flooding, although the water usually recedes in an hour.
Why it matters? Pedestrian subways are frequented every day by hordes of people. Sometimes, they offer the only viable route to a destination. If they’re flooded, commuters either have to risk their lives or stay home.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you eat breakfast or skip it?
- I eat breakfast.
- I skip breakfast.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your favourite flavour of ice cream, and where do you get it?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Read about comic Vivek Muralidharan’s eight-year-long journey.
- Students of Swarnam School of Music present melodious songs.
- Manipal Hospitals gifted 20 cancer survivors an exclusive match-day experience.
- Bengaluru residents face clean-up challenges after heavy showers.
- Read about the concerns of the residents of Mahalakshmi Layout amidst the rains.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I like rain: 100.0% 🏆
- I don’t like rain: 0.0%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What is one fear you want to overcome?
Sriranga: “Fear of heights and dogs”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!