Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Cloudy with some rain.
🧐 Did you know? The Bangalore Cantonment covered an area of 34 square kilometres, and it was the largest British Cantonment in South India.
📱 QR code on signboards
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has introduced QR codes on signboards in Bengaluru’s South Zone to provide citizens with a direct channel to access information and address civic issues.
What’s it about? The QR codes, when scanned, redirect to a BBMP website link that displays comprehensive information about the street, including the ward name, number, details of the sweeper (pourakarmika), and the MLA. It also provides contact details of department officials, contractors, and supervisors. This initiative eliminates the need for citizens to visit the BBMP office for every concern, allowing them to directly inform the relevant authority.
- The QR code initiative covers almost all streets in Bengaluru’s South Zone, excluding main roads or significant junctions.
- The QR code’s link offers detailed information, such as garbage collection timings, and contact details of street sweepers, supervisors, and contractors.
Why though? The QR code initiative is part of a pilot project in the BBMP’s south zone, covering five out of six constituencies. Chief Engineer of Bengaluru South Zone, Rajesh, mentioned that the QR codes target residential and mixed-use areas where residents often face challenges in identifying the right contacts for their concerns.
🚌 Bandh tomorrow
Trade unions, farmer groups, and pro-Kannada organizations have called for a bandh in Bengaluru on September 26, primarily protesting against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
What’s it about? The bandh has been called in response to the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s (CWDT) recent direction to the Karnataka government to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days. The Karnataka government has expressed concerns over this directive, stating that there isn’t sufficient water available for release. The state had previously advised farmers in the Cauvery basin to pause their sowing activities due to potential water shortages, reporting a 14% rainfall deficit as of August 16.
- The bandh will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm on September 26. Services of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (Karnataka SRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are expected to be impacted.
- Ola Uber Driver’s and Owner’s Association will also participate in the bandh.
No intervention: The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the directions given by the Cauvery Water Management Authority. Both the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) have taken into account various factors, including a significant rainfall deficit, in their decisions.
🐕 Stray dogs get geotagged IDs
Stray dogs in the city will now be equipped with unique geotagged QR codes, providing essential details about each dog.
What’s it about? The QR codes will offer information about the dog’s breed, vaccination and sterilization status, health condition, and the contact details of those who feed them. These tags, which resemble keychains, are laminated to shield them from adverse weather conditions.
- This initiative is designed to assist citizens, veterinarians, and volunteers in monitoring the city’s stray dog population and ensuring their well-being.
- The project is a joint effort between the Veterinary College, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, and the state animal husbandry department.
Metro route: The initiative was inspired by a similar project in Mumbai, where over 1,500 strays have been geotagged. Dr. Prayag HS, chief veterinary officer, highlighted the benefits of these tags, especially during festivals when strays might be displaced due to fear.
🚇 Three new metro corridors proposed
The Karnataka government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) have suggested the construction of three new Metro corridors in Bengaluru to address the city’s traffic congestion.
What’s it about? The proposed Metro corridors include Old Airport Road (stretching from MG Road to Hope Farm via Marathahalli and Whitefield), Old Madras Road (connecting KR Puram to Hoskote) and the Inner Ring Road loop.
- The Old Airport Road corridor aims to enhance connectivity in the city’s IT corridor, especially the business-dense Whitefield area.
- The Old Madras Road corridor is designed to improve links to the Narsapura industrial area.
The objective: The Metro network’s objective is to ensure every Bengaluru citizen has Metro access within one to two kilometres of their workplace or residence by 2032. Bengaluru’s existing Metro rail network spans 56 km, with the Purple Line connecting Kengeri and Baiyappanahalli and the Green Line linking Nagasandra to Silk Institute.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Which season in Bengaluru do you like more – monsoon or winter?
- I like the monsoon season in Bengaluru.
- I like the winter season in Bengaluru.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which brand of ice creams do you usually consume?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Meet Balaji Raghotham, whose emotional connection with Bengaluru lakes led him to conserve them.
- The Chikkajala fort, though not as ancient as Bengaluru itself, is fast losing its allure.
- Here is everything you need to know about Bengaluru-Hyderabad Vande Bharat Express.
- A 1,550-square-foot Bengaluru apartment is breezy with a touch of Bali.
- CMRS conducts KR Puram-Baiyappanahalli Metro Line safety inspection.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!