Good morning, Bengaluru!
☀️ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 23 ℃ | Mainly clear sky.
🧐 Did you know? For the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, there are 1,01,27,869 voters in Bengaluru South, North, Central and Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituencies. This is the first time the number of voters in Bengaluru has crossed the 1 crore mark.
🫘 Bean prices skyrocket
Severe heatwave pushes bean prices to record highs in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? The persistent heat in Bengaluru and surrounding areas has led to a dramatic increase in bean prices, with costs ranging from ₹180 to ₹220 per kg in retail and online markets. This spike is attributed to a significant reduction in bean crop yields in Kolar district and other nearby vegetable-growing regions, exacerbated by extreme temperatures.
- Wholesale prices have risen to ₹120-₹130 per kg, with forecasts suggesting a further increase due to continued supply shortages.
- Traders report a nearly 70% reduction in market supply compared to previous years, with the price rising sharply over the last ten days.
Reduced yield: Local farmers are experiencing yield reductions of 60-70%, with typical outputs dropping from 1,500 kg per acre to just around 500 kg. Agricultural experts cite the high temperatures and inadequate water cooling systems as critical factors affecting crop health.
🗳️ Offers to boost voter turnout
Bengaluru businesses incentivise voting with free meals and rides.
The offers: Several restaurants and commercial establishments in the city are offering free breakfasts and discounts to customers who show their inked fingers on polling day. This comes amid concerns over traditionally low voter engagement in the city, exacerbated by the election day falling on a Friday and recent high temperatures.
- Nisarga Grand Hotel and other local eateries like Malgudi Mylari Mane and Cafe Udupi Ruchi are providing complimentary items to voters.
- Rapido is partnering with the Election Commission to offer free rides to all citizens, with special provisions for differently-abled and senior citizens.
With permission: The Karnataka High Court recently approved the distribution of free food to voters, supporting the Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association’s initiative to encourage electoral participation. This decision mirrors the success of similar incentives during the 2023 assembly polls. Furthermore, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is extending its service hours to facilitate voter access to polling stations.
🛑 Inefficient election checkpoints
Election checkpoints are being criticised for inefficiency and causing public inconvenience.
Not effective: As India gears up for elections, the effectiveness of static surveillance teams (SSTs) stationed at checkpoints across cities and border districts is being questioned. These checkpoints, essential for ensuring electoral integrity, are reportedly failing to prevent malpractices such as vote buying and voter intimidation.
- Instances of traffic congestion and delays at checkpoints have been reported, with one notable delay lasting 2.5 hours on the Mysuru-Guadalur highway.
- Critics argue that the fixed locations of these checkpoints make them easy to avoid, thus diminishing their effectiveness in curbing illicit electoral activities.
Suggestions: The cost of operating a single checkpoint can range from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 per day, with Karnataka alone hosting approximately 2,700 checkpoints. Experts suggest that incorporating mobile flying squads and enhancing technological support could improve the situation, making the monitoring process more dynamic and less predictable.
🏙️ Master Plan 2041 work underway
Work on Bengaluru’s comprehensive Master Plan 2041 is underway, aiming for completion by mid-2026.
What’s it about? The Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) has started preliminary work on Bengaluru’s long-awaited Master Plan 2041. Utilising images from the Department of Survey, Settlement and Land Records (SSLR), the project focuses on creating a detailed base map of the city, crucial for future urban planning.
- The KSRSAC is currently mapping structures within each Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ward using advanced GIS and image procurement software. So far, 80% of the BBMP wards have been imaged.
- To expedite the imaging process, SSLR plans to employ aircraft or helicopters, enabling quicker and more extensive coverage than drones.
Draft by end-2025: The Master Plan 2041, which updates and replaces the outdated Master Plan 2015, will encompass 1,227 sqm of Bengaluru, detailing land use, transit-oriented development, and infrastructure enhancements. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is overseeing this project, with a timeline set for the draft plan by December 2025.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Which one do you like more – Plain Dosa or Masala Dosa?
- I like Plain Dosa.
- I like Masala Dosa.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which startup founder do you admire the most?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- The Karnataka High Court has asked the state government to protect bike taxi operations in Bengaluru.
- For the smooth conduct of Lok Sabha polls on Friday, the Bengaluru Police are setting up extensive bandobast in the city.
- Liquor sales have been suspended for three days from 5 pm on April 24 till midnight on April 26.
- BBMP’s white-topping work in RT Nagar is causing inconvenience to the people and businesses in the vicinity.
- Enjoy a sumptuous Asian fare at the Iza – Pan-Asian Kitchen in Kadubeesanahalli.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I remove my left shoe first: 42.9%
- I remove my right shoe first: 57.1% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!