Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 18 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with light rain.
🧐 Did you know? BESCOM was established in 2002.
🚇 Monetising Metro
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has shifted its approach to the 36-km Hebbal-Sarjapur corridor to focus on boosting non-fare revenue through property development and parking facilities, reducing reliance on state government grants.
What’s it about? Out of the 28 planned Metro stations, 17 will feature significant commercial spaces, totaling around 15 lakh square feet, and about 2 lakh square feet of parking areas. Some stations will have up to 1.6 lakh square feet of space dedicated to shopping malls, office complexes, and other non-Metro purposes.
- BMRCL aims to collaborate with private developers for over 75% of the targeted property development while funding additional floors at some stations independently.
- Key stations such as Sarjapur, Carmelaram, Koramangala 2nd Block, Dairy Circle, and Hebbal’s Veterinary College have already been designed to accommodate private investments.
Airport connectivity: The 36.58-km line, part of Namma Metro’s Phase III-A, will connect Sarjapur to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The project, with an estimated cost of ₹28,405 crore, is expected to be completed within six years after receiving Union government approval.
🧳 Smart Traveller Programme
The US has urged American citizens in India, particularly in Bengaluru, to register for the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP) to ensure they receive routine updates and emergency alerts.
What’s it about? STEP is a free service by the US Department of State that allows US nationals abroad to register their trips and stay informed in case of emergencies. STEP facilitates the easy dissemination of critical information, such as safety alerts during unrest or natural disasters, and routine communications like passport outreach events.
- Registration on the platform is simple, taking less than 20 minutes on the official STEP website.
- The utility is especially useful for Bengaluru-based US citizens as they can submit passport renewal applications locally, eliminating the need to travel to Chennai.
Other uses: The platform is also used for events such as townhalls and passport services which would keep US nationals connected to consular resources.
🏢 Infosys’ CoE
Infosys has launched a Google Cloud Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to drive enterprise AI innovation.
What’s it about? Powered by Infosys Topaz and Google Cloud’s generative AI technologies, the centre aims to help businesses co-create and adopt AI-powered solutions for transformative growth.
- Infosys has already enabled over 60,000 employees on Google Cloud.
- The CoE will be focussed on developing customised enterprise AI solutions across various domains.
Possible products: The CoE is likely to develop contact centre AI, software development lifecycle optimisation, agentic AI (intelligent automation), speech-to-speech AI, text-to-image generation, and application modernisation software.
🦄 Unicorn boom
Bengaluru has emerged as the leader in India’s unicorn boom for 2024, solidifying its reputation as the country’s startup capital.
What’s it about? India now has 71 unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion), cementing its position as the third-largest unicorn ecosystem globally, after the United States (683 unicorns) and China (165). The combined valuation of Indian unicorns stands at $186 billion.
- Bengaluru’s dominance is due to many of India’s new unicorns being headquartered in the city.
- This includes Ather Energy, MoneyView, and Krutrim.
Key sectors: India’s fintech sector remains the key driver of unicorn growth, with companies like MoneyView and Perfios addressing the demand for digital financial solutions. Meanwhile, AI startups like Krutrim are positioning India as a rising force in artificial intelligence.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you used the parking facilities available at metro stations?
- I have used the parking facilities available at metro stations.
- I have not used the parking facilities available at metro stations.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Have you had any experiences with Indian mission officials while travelling to foreign countries?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bengaluru Police seized 12 kilograms of pure MDMA crystals worth ₹24 crore in what’s said to be the state’s largest drug bust.
- BMRCL inaugurated a battery-swapping station at the Hoodi Metro Station in partnership with SUN Mobility.
- Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL) is building a 2 million square foot Business Park as a part of the state’s Global Capability Centres (GCC) policy.
- The crown of the Queen Victoria Statue at Cubbon Park was found to be damaged under unclear circumstances.
- The Shivajinagar bus stand drinking water plant was found neglected with Gutka stains and missing taps.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I use appliances like room heaters: 0.0%
- I do not use appliances like room heaters: 100.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!