Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 31 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru was India’s first city to be electrified in 1906 due to the hydroelectric powerplant in Shivanasamudra.
🗻 City’s trekkers feared dead
The Karnataka state government has launched an urgent rescue operation for 19 trekkers from Bengaluru stranded in Uttarakhand’s Sahastra Tal Mayak stretch.
What’s it about? According to reports, four of the trekkers are feared to have lost their lives due to severe weather conditions. The Karnataka Disaster Management Department reported that two of the stranded trekkers have been rescued so far. The situation was brought to light by the Uttarakhand government on June 4.
- Karnataka’s Minister for Disaster Management Krishna Byre Gowda stated that he is working closely with the Uttarakhand government, the Indian Mountaineering Federation, and the Government of India’s Home Department to ensure the safe return of the trekkers.
- Four helicopters, including three from the Indian Air Force, have been mobilised for the rescue operation.
Expedition gone wrong: The trekkers, who were part of an expedition organised by a private agency, were caught in adverse weather conditions. The district administration, with the help of forest department staff, has launched a search operation and deployed a helicopter to evacuate the stranded individuals.
🛵 Ampere Nexus begins deliveries
Greaves Electric Mobility has announced the commencement of deliveries for the Ampere Nexus electric scooters in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? Marking the brand’s 16th anniversary, the phased deliveries starting in the first week will ensure all booked customers receive their scooters promptly. The Ampere Nexus, available in two variants, Nexus EX and Nexus ST, offers four colour choices: Zanskar Aqua, Indian Red, Lunar White, and Steel Grey.
- The high-performance family electric scooter, designed and manufactured in India, garnered significant attention with its pre-bookings starting at ₹9,999 last month.
- Earlier this year, the Ampere Nexus set four records recognised by the India Book of Records, including the longest electric scooter journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Inspiring confidence: The massive pre-booking for the Ampere Nexus showcases the city’s potential to receive and adopt EVs for other market players who would also want to secure market share in the city contributing to a better environment and lesser pollution.
🗑️ ‘Waste’d
Four years after implementing solid waste management bylaws, Bengaluru still faces significant challenges with waste segregation and effective disposal.
What’s it about? The bylaws were designed to decentralise waste management and integrate waste pickers, yet problems persist. The mandated “two bin, one bag” system for wet, dry, and hazardous waste remains inconsistently applied.
- Collection varies significantly across the city, with some areas receiving separate pickups for different waste types, while others face combined collections or irregular schedules.
- Mixed waste collection by auto tippers and delayed payments to pourakarmikas hinder effective waste management.
Problem acknowledged: Despite the existence of processing centres for wet and dry waste, safety hazards for workers and inadequate segregation practices continue to plague the system. The Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML) also acknowledges this stagnation in segregation levels.
🗳️ Post-poll silence
The vote counting day for the Lok Sabha elections brought an unusual silence to Bengaluru streets, significantly reducing vehicle traffic and halving business.
What’s it about? Malls and commercial hubs appeared deserted, and many businesses saw their usual revenue cut in half. Vendors at markets like Russell Market in Shivajinagar and KR Market were particularly affected, expressing dismay over the decline in sales of perishable goods.
- Restaurants in the Central Business District reported earning less than half of their typical daily revenue.
- Auto-rickshaw drivers also faced challenges, with significantly fewer passengers and long waits for fares.
Results responsible: The low footfall has been attributed to people being more engaged in waiting for the election results which turned out to be contrary to general expectations, also leading to a lack of celebrations.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever gone trekking?
- I have gone trekking.
- I have not gone trekking.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What brought the difference in voting behaviour in Karnataka’s Assembly and General Elections?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Perch Restaurant is offering all-day coffee and wine bars at the Phoenix Mall of Asia.
- Bengaluru-based chicken QSR BIGGUYS secures $2mn in funding.
- The escalator at the KR Market subway has been lying defunct for 20 months now.
- CNBC TV18 celebrated women’s leadership and impactful changes in the second season of its Bengaluru edition of Future. Female. Forward. The Women’s Collective – Leadership Circle.
- Bengaluru airport launches electric taxis and a special pink fleet for women.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- Bengaluru’s lakes are visitable for recreational purposes: 11.1%
- Bengaluru’s lakes aren’t visitable for recreational purposes: 88.9% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!