Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: Cloudy with the possibility of some light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Church Street owes its name to St. Mark’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 19th century. The street is named so since it leads to the cathedral.
🧨 Restrictions on crackers
A recent cracker godown fire could result in police not granting permission for firecracker shops.
What’s it about? With the recent fire at the factory that claimed 16 lives, the police are unlikely to permit firecracker shops in Attibele. This could affect the availability of firecrackers in Bengaluru.
- Since Attibele won’t have any temporary or permanent firecracker shops, their availability in the city could be affected in the run-up to Diwali.
- The Bengaluru police have decided to tighten restrictions on the sale of crackers. They’re even trying to ensure people can’t buy crackers in Hosur as vehicles will be subjected to checks.
Conducting checks: The police have already begun inspecting shops that sell crackers. In places where license conditions were violated, cases have been booked, and the shops closed.
🚈 Updating suburban rail construction
For corridor 2 of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), raised formations are being used instead of rail underbridges.
What’s it about? The agency involved in constructing phase 2 of the BSRP is using “raised formations” instead of rail underbridges (RUBs) that are prone to flooding. The new model is cost-effective and requires less land.
- RUBs are often used to do away with level crossings. However, they usually flood during the monsoon since most are 5 metres below the ground. Hence, land needs to be acquired.
- Now, with raised formations between Hebbal and Banaswadi stations, the track will be about 6.5 metres above the ground, while the road levels will remain the same. Traffic will be diverted using the precast box method.
Advantages: By using raised formations, 23 level crossings have been eliminated. By not needing additional land, the agency, K-RIDE has saved ₹130 crore. The only challenge is not disturbing the rail lines since the suburban rail line is adjacent to the Indian Railways tracks.
🚭 Smoking areas unsafe
Designated smoking areas have been deemed unsafe since they don’t comply with prescribed norms.
What’s it about? According to a study by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC), designated smoking areas (DSAs) don’t provide a 100% smoke-free environment. The city police began a crackdown on such areas following repeated complaints.
- The DSAs often don’t comply with the rules prescribed by the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The existing rules allow for DSAs within hotels or restaurants with 30 or more seats/rooms.
- In DSAs across Bengaluru, there’s limited compliance with the rules necessitating design standards, signage, and service restrictions. This doesn’t provide protection from dangerous tobacco smoke.
Study results: The study by the IGTC stated second-hand smoke has over 7,000 chemicals, including carcinogens. The IGTC has called for a ban on DSAs in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
👪 Learning good values
Val-Ed initiatives organised an event to mark World Values Day with families.
What’s it about? At the 2023 World Values Day Olympics, organised by Val-Ed Initiatives, families came together to participate in games that explored common values like collaboration and connection.
- Thirty-eight families from 20 schools participated in the event with the theme, Values Bring Us Together. The games encouraged collaboration between parents and children.
- For many parents, it was an opportunity to connect with their children. The games included blindfold exercises and dance and music to instil happiness.
Instilling values: For many parents, it was an opportunity to get to know their kids better, given the nature of the activities and games. They not only helped improve physical fitness but also enhanced confidence.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Should the BBMP collect parking fees?
- The BBMP should collect parking fees.
- The BBMP shouldn’t collect parking fees.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Who would you consider the city’s most famous person?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A funding freeze for a resident welfare association in the city could spell trouble for others who have registered under the wrong body.
- The new Purple Line stretch of the Namma Metro has the potential to change the face of the city’s mobility.
- Underpasses in the city remain dangerous but the BBMP work to fix them remains incomplete.
- A live heart was transported 14 km in 13 minutes for a seven-year-old’s transplant.
- Hoysala police patrol vehicles have reduced their response time to 7.15 minutes in the city.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- A priority lane for buses is necessary for the city: 84.6% 🏆
- A priority lane for buses is not necessary for the city: 15.4%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!