Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 26 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? The city’s ISKCON temple, inaugurated in 1997, is the largest worldwide at 7 acres.
🏙️ Three integrated townships
Bengaluru is set to develop three integrated townships on its outskirts – Bidadi, Solur, and Nandagudi, under a revived proposal by the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA).
What’s it about? Spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the project aims to create self-contained towns with a mix of commercial and residential spaces. Bidadi will be the first to be developed, benefiting from its strategic location near four highways and the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR).
- The BMRDA is coordinating with Namma Metro for connectivity and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for water infrastructure.
- The authority is also seeking government approval for land acquisition and preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Project’s history: The project, originally proposed in 2006, stalled after a change in government but has gained new momentum. The recent creation of the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) further supports the initiative, as the GBDA will likely oversee land acquisition and engineering for the townships.
👩🏽⚕️ City doc bags AIR 7
Hamsavardhini V, a 25-year-old from the city, has achieved remarkable success by securing the 7th rank in NEET PG 2024.
What’s it about? An alumna of National Public School Indiranagar, she was inspired to pursue medicine after her grandmother’s death from undetected congenital heart disease. Hamsavardhini completed her MBBS at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, where she was awarded 48 gold medals.
- She now aims to specialise in internal medicine with a focus on haematology.
- Beyond her academic achievements, she is also a skilled Bharatanatyam dancer, having trained since the age of six.
Controversial examination: The NEET-PG examination was conducted on August 11 in two shifts. The exam was earlier scheduled for June 23 but was cancelled less than 12 hours before on the night of June 22 amidst fears of a paper leak.
🛣️ Delmia flyover demolishment
As part of Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Phase-3 project, the Delmia Circle flyover in JP Nagar may be demolished to make way for a new double-decker flyover.
What’s it about? The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is constructing an elevated corridor on the Outer Ring Road between JP Nagar 4th Phase and Kempapura. Initially, BMRCL planned to build a viaduct above the existing flyover using portal beams, but the state’s recent proposal for a double-decker flyover along the 32-kilometre route has necessitated the removal of the Delmia flyover.
- The flyover, which cost ₹25 crore and opened in 2018, would need to be dismantled to construct large piers for the new structure.
- Previously, BMRCL had secured permission from the BBMP and identified land for acquisition to support the initial viaduct plan.
Change of plans: With the new proposal for a double-decker flyover, the plan has shifted towards dismantling the existing flyover to accommodate the metro construction. This decision follows the model of the recently completed double-decker flyover connecting Ragigudda and Silk Board on the Yellow Line Metro, which necessitated the demolition of the Jayadeva flyover in 2020.
💰 Hyderabad overtakes
Hyderabad has surpassed Bengaluru for the first time to secure the third position in the 2024 Hurun India Rich List.
What’s it about? The city added 17 new billionaires this year, marking a significant shift in the distribution of wealth among Indian cities. Hyderabad’s role as a major wealth hub has been expanding fueled by its thriving tech and business sectors.
- Bengaluru, traditionally a leading city for billionaires, now ranks fourth.
- Overall, India added 75 new billionaires in 2024, bringing the total to 334.
Decentralised billionaires: The 2024 Hurun India Rich List features 1,539 entrants, indicating a diverse range of wealth creators from various sectors. Wealth creation in India has become more decentralised, with representation from 97 cities, up from 95 last year.
✨ Things to do…
Here are some fun and interesting things to do in the city over the weekend!
- Catch the Maharaja Trophy finals at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Watch DJ DANIKA’s live violin set at the High Ultra Lounge.
- Discover connections at a strangers’ gaming meet.
- Get your club jersey and attend the screening of ManU vs Liverpool at Hebbal Social.
- Party it out on the dance floor with live DJ sets and exclusive drinks at FLO’s ADPS party.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll Results:
- I have taken the train to the airport: 21.1%
- I have not taken the train to the airport: 78.9% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What facilities would you want in a care home if you had to live in one?
Yogita: “Engaging activities, brain teaser games, and group discussions on hot topics, meet & greet with others.”
That’s it for today. Have a great weekend!