Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 27 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? Thomas L. Friedman’s ‘The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century’ starts with a description of the Bangalore Golf Club and Infosys.
🚂 Few takers for airport trains
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Despite being the cheapest option for reaching Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), trains to the KIA Halt station have seen very low ridership.
What’s it about? The KIA Halt station, built by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), is located 3.5 km away from the airport. Only 30 people on average use the train service daily, according to South Western Railway (SWR).
- Many Bengalureans are unaware of the train option or find it inconvenient due to mismatched timings with their flights.
- Most flyers opt for personal vehicles, on-demand cabs, or BMTC’s Vayu Vajra buses.
Factors responsible: While SWR operates six trains connecting KSR Bengaluru, Yeshwantpur, and Bengaluru Cantonment stations with the KIA Halt station, several factors contribute to low ridership. These include limited routes, infrequent service, and delays due to single-track sections.
🤔 Ejipura flyover cancellation mulled
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is evaluating the possibility of cancelling the tender for the Ejipura flyover project due to slow construction progress.
What’s it about? The project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Koramangala, was awarded in 2017 with a 15-month deadline and a project value of ₹203 crore. However, despite repeated warnings, construction has been significantly delayed.
- Only half of the planned 83 pillars have been erected, and the footpath at the site remains damaged.
- The BBMP is considering issuing a new tender to complete the flyover, potentially extending the project timeline by another year.
Setback: The flyover was intended to alleviate traffic congestion on the 100 Feet Main Road by connecting Ejipura Main Road to Kendriya Sadan Junction. However, this decision might come as a setback to the city’s efforts to improve infrastructure and address traffic congestion.
🧓🏽 Antara’s first senior care home
Antara Assisted Care Services, a subsidiary of Max Group, has launched its first senior care home in Bengaluru.
What’s it about? The new care home, located in Bannerghatta, offers assisted living facilities with a home-like atmosphere. This opening marks the company’s expansion into South India after operating in North India for 12 years.
- The facility has a capacity of 80 beds and provides integrated senior care services, including curated engagement calendars and nutritionally assisted meals.
- This expansion aligns with Antara’s plans to increase its bed capacity by 300 across 4-5 care homes in the coming financial year.
Comprehensive offerings: The new Care Home completes Antara’s comprehensive care offerings, encompassing care homes, care at home and products & services for chronic conditions to fully meet the growing demand. The company aims to meet the growing demand for senior care services in South India.
🚆 Vande Bharat flag off
The Madurai – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 31.
What’s it about? The train will be covering 430 kilometres in 7.45 hours and will operate six days a week, with Tuesday as its day off. Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, Krishnarajapuram, and Bengaluru Cantonment are the main stations on its route.
- The train will depart from Madurai at 5.15 am and reach Bengaluru Cantonment by 1 pm.
- On its return journey, it will leave Bengaluru Cantonment at 1.30 pm and arrive in Madurai at 9.45 pm.
Ticket prices: The chair car fare for the entire ride is currently speculated to be between ₹1,200 and ₹1,300. The executive class is likely to cost between ₹1,800 and ₹2,000.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you taken the train to the airport?
- I have taken the train to the airport.
- I have not taken the train to the airport.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What facilities would you want in a care home if you had to live in one?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Nightingales Medical Trust organised a job fair for senior citizens in the city.
- Bescom and KPTCL’s periodic maintenance work will result in power cuts all over the city until Saturday.
- Judicial custody of actor Darshan has been extended till September 9.
- Office space leasing is expected to touch 80 million square feet in India this year with Bengaluru leading the increase.
- L&T will be delivering 3-D printed villas in the city.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- All of the lights in my house are LEDs: 63.6% 🏆
- Not all of the lights in my house are LEDs: 36.4%
That’s it for today. Have a great day!