Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌫️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 16 ℃ | Mist.
🧐 Did you know? Bannerghatta National Park was founded in 1970 and declared a national park in 1974.
🏞️ New parks for Bengaluru
BBMP plans to develop 20 new parks in Bengaluru’s outskirts for 2024-25.
What’s it about? The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to create 20 parks in Bengaluru’s outlying areas during 2024-25. These parks will be developed on BBMP-owned properties across various zones, including Mahadevapura and Yelahanka. The initiative is part of efforts to maintain Bengaluru’s greenery.
- The parks will include pathways, fencing, and a variety of plants, including medicinal ones like lemon.
- BBMP’s forest wing plans to plant fruit and neem trees for public benefit.
Green City: The project aims to utilize vacant BBMP properties and is awaiting fund allocation from the upcoming budget. This green initiative aligns with the ‘Green Bengaluru’ campaign, which includes planting over a lakh saplings across the city.
🛣️ Bangalore Business Corridor tender
The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has launched a global tender for the Peripheral Ring Road, now known as the Bangalore Business Corridor (BBC).
What’s it about? The BDA’s release of a global tender marks a significant step for the 74 km-long Peripheral Ring Road project, renamed as the Bangalore Business Corridor. Estimated at around ₹27,000 crore, the project involves constructing an 8-lane road with a service road around Bengaluru.
- This project is a key part of the city’s plan to decongest traffic and improve connectivity by linking major highways and district roads.
- This initiative, under the Public Private Partnership model, follows a previous tender that was scrapped for technical reasons.
Long delayed: With the project initially proposed in 2008, the tender’s release could significantly impact Bengaluru’s traffic and urban development, aiming to provide a ‘direct corridor passage’ around the city.
💧 Groundwater crisis
Groundwater levels in Bengaluru Urban district plummet due to inadequate rainfall.
What’s it about? A recent report by the Minor Irrigation Department highlights a significant decrease in groundwater levels across all five Taluks in the Bengaluru Urban district. The decline, attributed to poor rainfall, varies across regions, with Anekal and Yelahanka experiencing the most substantial drops. This reduction has exacerbated the water crisis in the city, with many borewells drying up.
- In contrast to Bengaluru’s situation, other districts in the state have seen fluctuating groundwater levels.
- Authorities recognise the need for an in-depth study to address and mitigate this drought situation effectively.
Mitigation strategies: The disparity in groundwater levels within the state underlines the need for focused drought mitigation strategies. The report suggests evaluating the impact of lake-filling projects, which have been beneficial in districts like Kolar and Ramanagar.
🚑 Ambulance alert app
Bengaluru police plans to launch an app for efficient ambulance traffic management.
What’s it about? The Bengaluru police are set to introduce the ‘e-path’ mobile app in February, designed to alert the traffic control centre about ambulances stuck in traffic. This app will enable quicker intervention by traffic officials to clear the way for ambulances. The system works by sending alerts if an ambulance is stationary for over 60 seconds.
- Around 2,700 ambulance drivers are expected to use the app, which includes an SOS button for emergencies.
- The app’s real-time tracking aims to improve the response time in clearing traffic for ambulances.
Beating traffic: This initiative, in collaboration with private hospitals, seeks to address the challenge of ambulances being delayed in traffic, a common issue in urban areas.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer underground road tunnels or flyovers?
- I prefer underground road tunnels.
- I prefer flyovers.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How fast can you run?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bengaluru FC announced the signing of 28-year-old centre-back Chinglensana ‘Sana’ Singh Konsham on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
- The BBMP is set to focus on road development in industrial zones and commercial hubs.
- ICAR-NIANP in Bengaluru has concluded its Winter School program on ‘Livestock Production’.
- To address potential drug smuggling, the Bengaluru police have proposed to the Karnataka director general of police to inspect delivery agents.
- Bescom’s electricity bills will see a reduction of 9 paise per unit in the February billing cycle.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have an office setup at home: 90.0% 🏆
- I don’t have an office setup at home: 10.0%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!