Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 25 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? There are about 210 small and big lakes and interconnected canals dotting the area of the city.
🤖 Automatic panipuri kiosk
An automatic panipuri vending kiosk in Bengaluru’s HSR Layout has captivated the internet.
What’s it about? Set up by the startup What The Flavours (WTF), this innovative stall features a staffer who prepares a regular plate of puri with spicy fillings, which customers can then customise by dispensing their choice of flavoured water using pipes attached to the structure.
- The kiosk is equipped with sensors that detect when the snack is held underneath, dispensing the flavoured water accordingly.
- This allows customers to control the amount of flavoured water they receive.
Not ‘Peak Bengaluru’: However, this type of automatic stall is not unique to Bengaluru. WTF has set up similar franchisees in various locations across Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, including new outlets in Madurai and Karur.
🖥️ Karnataka eyes semiconductor expansion
Karnataka aims to develop the Bengaluru-Mysuru belt into a semiconductor hub, bolstering its position against competitors like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
What’s it about? IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted the Siddaramaiah administration’s focus on expanding Karnataka’s semiconductor ecosystem, revealing plans during a curtain raiser for Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024.
- Bengaluru will be a design hub and Mysuru will focus on manufacturing and related activities.
- A working committee will be formed within 15 days to develop a ‘Strategy for AI and AI policy’.
GCCs beyond Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasised encouraging companies to establish Global Capability Centres (GCCs) beyond Bengaluru. The upcoming GCC policy will simplify regulations and incentivise large companies to operate in Karnataka’s “Beyond Bengaluru” areas.
🛣️ 1800 crore pothole project
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced a significant infrastructure project aimed at creating pothole-free roads in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? As part of the ‘Brand Bengaluru, Sungam Sanchar Bengaluru’ programme, the Deputy CM launched the initial phase of the project, which involves white-topping 19.67 kilometres of roads in Chamarajpet, Gandhinagar, Malleswaram, and Mahalakshmipura.
- This phase has a budget allocation of ₹200 crore.
- The entire ₹1,800 crore plan focuses on white-topping 157 kilometres of roads throughout the city.
Long lifespan: White-topped roads are expected to have a lifespan of at least 25 years, contributing to long-term infrastructure stability and reduced maintenance costs.
🏘️ NRI’s top choice
Bengaluru continues to be the preferred destination for non-resident Indians (NRIs) investing in India’s residential real estate market, particularly for budget and mid-segment housing.
What’s it about? In Bengaluru, approximately 60-65% of NRIs buy property for investment purposes, while 35-40% purchase for end-use. High rental demand areas near IT hubs are particularly attractive to these buyers.
- Beyond apartments, NRIs are increasingly investing in senior living communities and plots.
- NRIs favour localities close to IT corridors and those developed by reputed brands.
Infrastructure challenges: Despite its popularity, Bengaluru’s infrastructure issues and traffic congestion pose significant challenges for NRI buyers. Traffic congestion has been consistently identified as a major deterrent, alongside inventory shortages in preferred localities.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Is the street food segment susceptible to automation disruption?
- The street food segment is susceptible to automation disruption.
- The street food segment is not susceptible to automation disruption.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s the best thing to say to traffic cops to convince them to let you go?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Zomato has hiked platform fee to ₹6 for Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.
- Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad have the lowest average time taken to complete real estate projects.
- Swiggy Instamart has converted the KIA’s luggage carousel into an advertising platform.
- Santissimo won the Mayor’s Trophy at the Bengaluru horse racing event.
- BCD Group has won an ₹184 crore housing project in Bengaluru.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been to a live play/musical in the city: 66.7% 🏆
- I haven’t been to a live play/musical in the city: 33.3%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!