Good morning, Bengaluru!
☁️ Today’s weather: High: 27 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | A mostly cloudy day ahead.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru was home to India’s first aircraft factory. It was the HAL Airport, built by Hindustan Aircraft Limited (now Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
🌀 Better weather forecasts
.jpg){kind=link}
Forecasting the weather for Bengaluru could become easier with the new Doppler Weather radar.
What’s it about? After a long time, the Central government approved the installation of a Doppler weather radar in the city. This will boost the forecasters’ abilities to predict the city’s weather.
- The new Doppler radar will enhance the city’s ability to know about heavy rainfall or flooding much sooner and plan accordingly to mitigate losses of life and property.
- This has been a long-pending demand since flash floods have resulted in heavy economic losses. The C-Band Doppler weather radar has an operational range of 250 km.
Where will it be located? Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, mentioned a site has been identified. IMD officials in Bengaluru have said a location hasn’t been finalised. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje suggested Jakkur.
🌇 Splitting up the BBMP
The state cabinet approved a bill to split the BBMP into 10 corporations.
What’s it about? The cabinet approved the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, which aims to restructure Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The plan is to split it into 10 corporations and increase the number of wards from 225 to 400.
- The approved bill was a watered-down version of the draft proposal prepared by a 4-member committee led by Chief Secretary BS Patil. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which proposed the bill, won’t have local planning powers.
- The bill envisions a three-tier governance structure to increase administrative efficiency. It proposes the creation of a GBA to oversee planning, coordination, and supervision of development across the greater Bengaluru area.
Long road: In 2019, the BJP proposed bureaucratic decentralisation under a single corporation. However, no polls have been conducted in the past four years due to disagreements on delimitation and decentralisation. The BBMP council’s term ended in September 2020.
🚆 Transport hub at Hebbal
Activists have welcomed the BMRCL’s plan to build a multimodal transport hub at Hebbal.
What’s it about? Among the several multimodal hubs proposed by different agencies at different locations, transport activists are relieved that at least one will come to fruition. The transport hub at Hebbal could ensure seamless blending of different transport modes.
- Namma Metro has proposed the hub before it takes up the Orange and Red lines. Hebbal has been witnessing worsening traffic situations after the BDA began building additional ramps to the existing flyover.
- The proposal is for three stations by the BMRCL and a suburban rail station by K-Ride. The hub will enable the BMTC to run buses to destinations within the city from Hebbal.
Necessary proposal: The non-integration of different transport modes has been an issue for passengers, especially in Majestic and Yeshwantpur. Hundreds of passengers in Hebbal have to wait long hours to board long-distance buses to other cities. There’s a need for a big bus stand connecting metro stations.
📋 Surveying street vendors
The BBMP will soon undertake a survey of the city’s street vendors.
What’s it about? BBMP officials Tushar Girinath and Suralkar Vikas Kishore held a virtual meeting with senior officials to survey street vendors and the identification of zones. Eligible vendors will be given ID cards and certificates.
- The civic body will take up the zone-wise survey and won’t involve any other agency. The All India Central Council of Trade Union (AICCTU) has submitted a list of demands on issues to be addressed.
- The survey is expected to begin in a month. The zonal commissioners will decide on demarcating vending and non-vending zones based on central and state government rules.
Previous attempt: The last time, the BBMP hired an agency to conduct the survey, and it didn’t work out. The staff complained about the travel allowance and many didn’t conduct surveys after 5 pm.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you usually work up to 10-12 hours a day?
- I usually work up to 10-12 hours a day.
- I don’t usually work up to 10-12 hours a day.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What do you think is Bengaluru’s best feature as a city?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The BMTC suffered a setback as the BBMP decided not to exempt it from paying property tax.
- The burn ward at the Victoria Hospital has seen a 10% increase in skin donations.
- BMTC organised a ceremony to distribute appointment letters to 250 people recruited on compassionate grounds.
- 142 FIRs were lodged in the city since June 1 over illegal flexes and banners.
- IIIT Bangalore and the government have teamed up to introduce the Smart Manufacturing Startup Program.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- Malls and other similar establishments should have a dress code: 0.0%
- Malls and other similar establishments should not have a dress code: 100.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!