Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 30 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? St. Mark’s Church is Bengaluru’s oldest church.
💰 Billion dollar investment
Energy giant Chevron is set to invest a significant $1 billion over the next 5-6 years in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? This investment will establish the Chevron Engineering and Innovation Excellence Centre (ENGINE), a facility aimed at enhancing the company’s global operations. The new centre is expected to create numerous job opportunities for local professionals.
- The centre will be focused on addressing global energy challenges and promoting a lower-carbon energy future.
- Chevron plans to attract highly skilled individuals to support its various engineering and digital projects.
Job creation: By the end of 2025, the company anticipates filling around 600 positions, with further hiring as the centre expands.
🔋 EV testing facility
The Union government is set to inaugurate a state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) testing facility in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? This new facility, located at the National Test House (NTH) within the RRSL Jakkuru campus, will significantly enhance EV battery and charger testing capabilities in South India.
- The facility will be equipped to conduct a wide range of tests, including electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, functional safety, durability, and climate resistance.
- These comprehensive tests will ensure the safety, efficiency, and reliability of EV batteries and chargers.
Strengthening EV infrastructure: The EV testing facility will also contribute to strengthening India’s infrastructure for electric vehicles. As the number of public charging stations continues to grow rapidly, this facility will play a vital role in ensuring that EVs meet the necessary standards for safe and reliable operation.
🌆 KHIR location finalised
The Karnataka government is set to establish the KHIR (Knowledge, Health, Innovation, and Research) city between Dabaspet and Doddaballapur.
What’s it about? This project, covering 2,000 acres, will be launched by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with the first phase developing 500 acres. Originally slated for August, the launch has been postponed to September or October.
- KHIR city is expected to attract ₹40,000 crore in investments across various sectors, including automobiles, semiconductors, aerospace, and other large-scale industries while creating approximately 80,000 new jobs.
- The city will serve as a parallel hub to Bengaluru’s thriving startup ecosystem, further boosting the state’s economy.
Global model: Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil has laid emphasis on KHIR city’s potential to contribute significantly to Karnataka’s GDP. He envisions KHIR city as a model for the world, attracting global investments in sectors like medical, IT, education, and biotech due to Karnataka’s extensive facilities and talent pool.
🚇 Chaos at Peenya
Peenya Industry metro station was engulfed in chaos during the morning peak hour due to the suspension of train services at nearby stations for trial runs.
What’s it about? BMRCL has suspended services to Nagasandra, Dasarahalli, and Jalahalli on five selected days (August 20, 23, 30, September 6, and 11) to facilitate the Green Line extension trial. The limited service, available only between Peenya Industry and Silk Institute, led to an overwhelming number of passengers converging at Peenya Industry station.
- The situation worsened as only one entrance was open, causing passenger lines to spill onto the busy Tumakuru Road.
- Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials maintained that they had anticipated the crowds and implemented measures to ease travel.
BMRCL’s preparations: Shankar AS, Executive Director (Operations and Maintenance) at BMRCL, acknowledged the crowding but defended the security checks and limited entrance access, citing typically low footfall at Peenya Industry. He also mentioned that BMTC provided feeder buses from Nagasandra every half hour to help mitigate the disruption.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you know of anyone who regrets buying an EV?
- I know of someone who regrets buying an EV.
- I do not know of someone who regrets buying an EV.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which are the most aesthetic metro stations that you have visited?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- More rain is expected for the city and the traffic department has issued a fresh advisory for the same.
- Home-to-home surveys have started in the city for a special revision of the voters’ list.
- South-Western Railways have resumed operations on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru track after clearing landslide debris.
- The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is conducting a series of contests and events to mark the National Space Day.
- The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has taken 1.4 million square feet of office space on lease in the city.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- BMRCL should be making more underground stations: 75.0% 🏆
- BMRCL should not be making more underground stations: 25.0%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!