Good morning, Bengaluru!
đŚď¸ Todayâs weather: Heavy rainfall.
đ§ Did you know? Brunton Road is named after Paul Brunton, an English soldier turned philosopher, who was also a mystic traveller and guru. Most likely of German-Jewish origin, Brunton left journalism to live with mystics and acquire Eastern and Western esoteric knowledge.
đŞ The history of Indian money
Rezwan Razack devised the idea for the Museum Of Indian Paper Money through his grandfatherâs Pakistan-origin notes.
Whatâs it about? The Museum of Indian Paper Money, on the second floor of the Prestige Falcon Tower on Brunton Road, houses a remarkable collection of artefacts spanning 50 years. Visitors can feast their eyes on rare treasures like âš10,000 notes, a gold coin from the time of emperor Aurangzeb, and even prop money from a James Bond film.
- Unlike many of Indiaâs derelict museums, this one has a modern, climate-controlled environment. The artefacts are displayed in sealed cases.
- It takes visitors on a journey through the evolution of currency, from primitive shells and trinkets to the intricately detailed coins of the Mahajanapada kingdoms, Guptas, Kushans, and Mughals, and the contemporary era.
Karnataka connection: The artefacts include the 1969 series of rupee notes designed by the Nanjangud native NS Subbakrishna, featuring the Sevagram Ashram. These were designed to commemorate Mahatma Gandhiâs centenary.
𧯠The dangers of digging
Gas pipeline leaks are frequent in Bengaluru due to poor inter-agency coordination and no underground mapping.
Whatâs it about? Piped natural gas (PNG) is a safer, cheaper, and more convenient alternative to LPG cylinders. However, its expansion in Bengaluru has been slow due to poor coordination between utility agencies, lack of awareness, and lack of official support. GAIL India has shared a standard operating procedure (SOP) with all utility agencies, but itâs not followed consistently.
- It requires agencies like the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and the Bangalore Electricity Company Limited (Bescom) to take permission before any repair work.
- It also mandates that the agencies promptly inform GAIL in cases of leaks.
Poor coordination: In March 2023, a gas pipeline leak caused explosions in three houses in HSR Layout, highlighting poor coordination among utility agencies. It happened because neither did they get GAILâs approval nor reported the leakage in time. Similar incidents, such as the 2018 Whitefield leakage, demonstrate a lack of lessons learned.
Horizontal digging FTW: Understandably, GAIL has intensified its awareness campaigns. GAIL and Optical Fibre Cabling (OFC) companies prefer the Horizontal Directional Digging (HDD) method, but it requires careful planning and analysis of underground infrastructure.
- Due to the lack of underground mapping, GAIL gas lines are laid 1.2 meters below the surface in all expansion areas.
đ Vayu Vajra from T2
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will now operate buses from Terminal 2 at Bengaluru Airport.
Buses from T2: The BMTC has announced that state-run BMTC buses will now be available from Kempegowda International Airport’s new Terminal 2. As part of the Vayu Vajra services, the transport authority already offers air-conditioned bus services from KIAâs Terminal 1 to all areas of the city.
- The BMTC was given bus bays outside T2, just like those outside T1.
- They are yet to release a schedule. A clarification about whether all airport buses would stop at T2 is also awaited.
đŽ Traffic cops bring back physical checking
City police have doubled down on traffic violations by bringing physical checks back on the table.
Back to basics: Bengaluru Policeâs latest crackdown on traffic violations involves physical checks of visible violations on roads rather than relying solely on automated enforcement. On July 1, the police kicked off a special drive to target two-wheeler users.
- The drive aims to catch those who regularly commit violations like wrong-side driving, riding or parking on footpaths, and signal jumping. The police will wear body cameras.
- MN Anucheth, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), revealed that the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) doesnât detect these infractions.
Background: In December 2022, the police introduced the ITMS to eliminate the need for physical checks and limit human intervention in traffic management. Technological interventions account for 96% of the traffic violations registered with the police.
đ Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever paid a traffic violation fine?
- I have paid a traffic violation fine.
- I havenât paid a traffic violation fine.
â Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Who do you think is the most famous person from Bengaluru?
Reply to this email with your answers.
đď¸ In other newsâŚ
- The police warn people against fake apps and portals for the Gruha Jyoti Scheme.
- Scientists and academicians write to IISc expressing dismay over actions to stop UAPA discussions.
- The state government indicated its seriousness to split the BBMP into multiple smaller corporations.
- The BMRCL opts for a shopping area instead of parking for metro riders.
- Despite being one of the major Indian cities for standup, Bengaluru does not charge its comics.
đď¸ Local Lounge
Yesterdayâs Poll:
- I could do without books: 33.3%
- I could do without music: 66.7% đ
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
Why do you think people have a problem with the Shakti scheme?
Sriranga: âFalse promises. It’s just bankrupting Karnataka. They’re increasing the prices of all commodities to get money for the schemes. There are rumours that petrol and diesel prices might increase too. We’re paying for someone else’s enjoyment.â
Thatâs it for today. Have a great day!