Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: High: 34 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Partly cloudy sky.
🧐 Did you know? Masjid-E-Quba in Yarab Nagar has the highest minaret among mosques in Bengaluru.
✈️ IndiGo expands to Lakshadweep
IndiGo announces a direct flight between Bengaluru and Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, starting March 31, enhancing air connectivity to the region.
88th destination: The new service will make Agatti, the gateway to Lakshadweep, the 88th domestic destination in IndiGo’s network. The airline will deploy ATR aircraft with around 78 seats for this route. Agatti is known for its water sports and as a base for exploring nearby uninhabited islands.
- Lakshadweep gained attention as a tourist destination after a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Alliance Air, the only other Indian airline operating to Lakshadweep, added additional flights between Kochi and Agatti in January.
Boosting tourism: The introduction of IndiGo’s flight is expected to boost tourism in Lakshadweep, offering more travel options for those seeking adventure and tranquility in the archipelago.
🚰 Water shortage of 500 MLD
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addresses Bengaluru’s water shortage, outlining measures to tackle the 500 MLD deficit.
Demand-supply: Bengaluru’s current water demand stands at 2,600 MLD (million litres per day), with only 1,450 MLD supplied from the Cauvery river and 650 MLD from borewells. To combat the shortage, the government is taking steps such as completing Cauvery Phase 5 work, which will add 775 MLD of water supply, and forming an expert committee for future water management.
- The government is also drilling borewells at 313 locations and reviving 1,200 borewells to address the shortfall.
- Plans are in place to fill 14 major dried-up lakes in Bengaluru using treated water from the Koramangala-Challaghatta valley to recharge groundwater.
Adding to the problem: The water crisis in Bengaluru is exacerbated by drought conditions and low rainfall, leading to a significant number of government borewells going dry. The state government is taking proactive steps to ensure a sustainable water supply for the city’s residents and industries.
🛩️ FLY91 launches commercial operations
New regional airline FLY91 begins commercial flights, connecting Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Sindhudurg.
Newbie: FLY91, the latest addition to India’s aviation sector, commenced operations with its first flight from Goa to Bengaluru. The airline also operated its maiden flight to Sindhudurg from Bengaluru and introduced a special inaugural fare of ₹1,991. With plans to expand to Agatti, Jalgaon, and Pune in April, FLY91 aims to enhance regional connectivity in India.
- The airline will operate flights between Goa and Bengaluru, Bengaluru and Sindhudurg, Goa and Hyderabad, and Sindhudurg and Hyderabad on specific days of the week.
- FLY91 currently has two ATR 72-600 aircraft, with four more expected in the coming months.
UDAN-enabled: FLY91 has been allocated routes under the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN, including Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Nanded, and Agatti, as well as business and leisure destinations like Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, and Pune. The airline aims to establish a strong pan-India presence with a focus on regional connectivity.
🚫 Campaign for plastic-free markets
BBMP and volunteers conduct awareness programs in Bengaluru South to promote waste segregation and discourage plastic usage.
What’s it about? The BBMP Solid Waste Management Department, along with NGO volunteers, is focusing on educating vendors at Sarakki and Madiwala markets about the importance of switching from plastic to paper or cloth bags. Despite ongoing efforts, many vendors continue to use plastic.
- Women of Wisdom (WoW) volunteers have been working with the BBMP for over a year to encourage vendors and customers to adopt eco-friendly practices.
- Street plays and public announcements are being used to raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic and the benefits of waste segregation.
Changing behaviour: The initiative aims to create a shift in consumer behaviour, urging them to bring their own cloth bags and refuse plastic packaging. The success of the campaign depends on the collective effort of vendors, customers, and authorities to reduce plastic usage and promote sustainability in the city’s markets.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Are you affected by the water crisis in Bengaluru?
- I am affected by the water crisis in Bengaluru.
- I’m not affected by the water crisis in Bengaluru.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which game do you enjoy watching the most?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- SATS has launched its largest international food solutions facility in Bengaluru.
- The B2B2C platform FindMyPlots.com has been launched in Bengaluru.
- The new draft rules have eased regulations to regularise school vans.
- For the 73-km Bengaluru Peripheral Ring Road project, only one company has submitted a bid.
- The intense heat has left residents of Bengaluru struggling to cope.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been on a food walk in Bengaluru: 25.0%
- I’ve not been on a food walk in Bengaluru: 75.0% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Which luxury vehicle would you like to buy?
Dharna: “Land Rover Discovery”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!