Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 25 ℃ | Low: 21 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with heavy rain.
🧐 Did you know? Bengaluru’s daily water demand is estimated to be 2,632 million litres.
🚇 Metro rush
Nagasandra metro station saw an unusual surge in commuters on Monday morning after the festive weekend, with a crowd of 15,800 people in five hours, significantly exceeding the typical 11,000.
What’s it about? This led to a 1 km-long queue outside the station, extending toward the nearby IKEA store. Many commuters, frustrated by the crowding, expressed dissatisfaction on social media, citing the delayed opening of the Nagasandra-Madavara metro extension as a contributing factor.
- Commuters noted that the inauguration of the Nagasandra-Madavara extension was overdue despite receiving the necessary approvals.
- Namma Metro officials have explained that heightened security checks and passenger volume due to post-festivity travel led to the delays.
Extension’s route: The Green Line’s 3.7 km extension, approved by the Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety in early October, includes stations at Manjunathnagar, Chikkabidarakallu, and Madavara, which are expected to improve connectivity in North Bengaluru.
🚗 Tumkur traffic
Commuters faced severe traffic jams on the Tumkur (Sira)-Bengaluru route as holiday travellers returned after a four-day Diwali break.
What’s it about? Major choke points, particularly on the Chitradurga-Sira (Tumkur)-Bengaluru stretch, were heavily affected, causing widespread frustration among commuters.
- The jam extended for kilometres, with traffic crawling at barely 10 km/h in some stretches.
- The congestion was exacerbated by high traffic volumes, narrow road sections, and ongoing infrastructure projects.
Police intervention: The Nelamangala police managed to ease congestion near the Kunigal Bypass, especially during rain, which brought some relief to travellers on that part of the route. Despite this, the broader route remained heavily impacted by returning Diwali traffic.
💑 Wedding cards business down
Bengaluru’s wedding card industry has seen a drastic 70% decline in business over the past decade, as couples increasingly opt for digital invitations.
What’s it about? Traditionally, the October-February wedding season was a peak period for card orders, with clients previously ordering thousands of invitations. However, modern couples now prefer the convenience of digital invites sent via social media, replacing printed cards with e-invites and emojis.
- Wedding orders have reduced from about 5,000 cards to only 300-400 per customer, as distant friends and family are now contacted digitally instead of by post.
- However, some couples who still purchase printed invitations now focus on high-end, themed, and premium designs, making wedding cards a statement piece rather than a mass-produced item.
Changing trend: The trend is visible in the cost and quantity changes: in 2017, clients ordered about 2,000 cards priced at ₹5 each for broad social circles, whereas today, clients order only 300 cards at around ₹20 each, often reserved for close family and friends.
🤕 Deepavali injuries
During Deepavali celebrations in Bengaluru, nearly 150 firecracker-related injuries were reported, with a large portion of victims being children.
What’s it about? Minto Hospital recorded 50 cases between October 28 and November 3, comprising 17 adults and 33 children; four of whom required surgery. Narayana Nethralaya treated 76 eye injuries, including 14 cases involving children under 10 and 21 cases involving teens aged 10-18.
- Some patients needed surgical procedures for injuries such as corneal abrasions, tears, and lens dislocations.
- One severe case involved a 12-year-old girl with a complete hyphema in her left eye after a bullet bomb exploded, necessitating surgery.
Most bystanders: At Sankara Eye Hospital, 18 firecracker-related injuries were treated, 14 of which involved children. Among these pediatric cases, only two were self-inflicted, while the remaining 12 occurred as bystanders.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you use the metro for office commute?
- I use the metro for office commute.
- I do not use the metro for office commute.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What was the best part of your festive break?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bangalore University has reversed its stance on reservation for local students in NLSIU in lieu of providing additional land to the law university.
- 300 tonnes of additional waste was collected against the usual quantity in the city’s post-festive cleanup.
- City-based matrimony company Dil Mil was ordered to pay ₹60,000 to a customer after failing to find him a suitable bride.
- Lodha Group is targeting a 15% market share in the city by the decade’s end.
- Innov8 is planning to double its current capacity across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru in 2025.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been in a play/musical: 50.0% 🏆
- I haven’t been in a play/musical: 50.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!