Good morning, Bengaluru!
☁️ Today’s weather: High: 28 ℃ | Low: 18 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky.
🧐 Did you know? MTR was closed during the Emergency when the Food Control Act made it unprofitable to serve food items.
🗑️ Waste disposal fee
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), through its subsidiary Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd (BSWML), is proposing a user fee for waste disposal from the 2025-26 financial year, aiming to raise around ₹600 crore annually.
What’s it about? This fee will apply to approximately 46 lakh households and commercial establishments, with rates based on built-up area. Six categories have been defined, with adjustments made after consultations with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, increasing the chances of government approval.
- The proposal’s earlier model, which linked fees to power consumption, was abandoned in favour of the current built-up area approach after some MLAs suggested a flat rate of ₹200 per month.
- The revised proposal also includes provisions for bulk waste generators like apartment complexes and offices.
Legal backing: This initiative is supported by the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws, 2019, the BBMP Act, 2020, and the National Green Tribunal’s “polluter pays” principle from 2018, which grants BBMP the authority to impose fees to cover expenses for scientific waste collection and processing.
🛣️ Road closure
Shivajinagar Road near Shivaji Circle will be partially closed for 30 days starting November 11 to facilitate metro construction.
What’s it about? The closure, impacting one side of the road near Shivaji Circle and Jyothi Cafe, will restrict all types of vehicular movement in this area. The Bengaluru Traffic Police, overseeing the Shivajinagar Traffic Police jurisdiction, has implemented several detours to manage traffic flow and minimise disruption.
- Vehicles from Balekundri Road heading towards the Shivajinagar BMTC Bus Stand via Shivaji Circle will be restricted from entering this route.
- Additionally, vehicles from Shivaji Road going towards Jyothi Cafe and the Shivajinagar BMTC Bus Stand will face entry restrictions.
Alternative route: For vehicles from Balekundri Road heading to the Shivajinagar BMTC Bus Stand, commuters should turn left at the Traffic Headquarters Junction, proceed along Infantry Road, then turn left at Central Street Junction to reach the BMTC Bus Stand.
🅿️ Parking woes
With the metro’s expansion in the city, its growing commuters are facing challenges due to insufficient and costly parking facilities at most metro stations.
What’s it about? Popular stations like JP Nagar, Jayanagar, and Indiranagar lack adequate parking spaces, causing commuters to park on nearby roads to avoid daily parking fees and leading to neighbourhood complaints.
- In response, some residents have sought intervention from the police, but a long-term solution remains elusive.
- Stations near malls, such as Konanakunte Cross near Forum South Mall, face increased demand as shoppers use metro parking, drawn by its affordability compared to mall parking fees.
Poor conditions: Stations like Nagasandra and Baiyappanahalli have larger parking areas but suffer from muddy, uneven ground conditions, particularly during rains, making parking difficult and prone to vehicle damage.
⚡ BIMSTEC Energy Centre signed
India has signed an agreement with BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to establish a BIMSTEC Energy Centre in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? The agreement, signed by Jaideep Mazumder, MEA Secretary (East), and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indramani Pandey, aims to bolster energy cooperation and enhance inter-grid connectivity across the BIMSTEC region.
- This step aligns with India’s regional policy priorities, such as the Neighbourhood First Policy, Vision SAGAR, and Act East Policy.
- The BIMSTEC Energy Centre will serve as a hub for energy cooperation and technical exchange among member countries, fostering sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.
Larger plan: This initiative complements other ongoing regional cooperation efforts by India, reaffirming its commitment to BIMSTEC as a platform for improving maritime, digital, and physical connectivity, while also addressing critical areas like health, food security, trade, and investment.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Is the waste disposable fee reasonable?
- The waste disposable fee is reasonable.
- The waste disposable fee is not reasonable.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Which TTMC in the city is the best maintained?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In Other News…
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated new Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) branches in the city.
- 15 flights were delayed, and six were diverted at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) due to poor visibility caused by dense fog.
- Akhila Havyaka Mahasabha will hold its third Vishwa Havyaka Sammelana in Bengaluru for three days from December 27.
- Bengaluru’s public universities have turned to social media for applicants after a drop in PG enrollments.
- A rare runway traffic jam occurred at the Kempegowda International Airport raising concerns regarding air traffic.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!