Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 28 ℃ | Low: 19 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? Almost 47% of the biotech companies in India are located in Bengaluru.
🎒 BBMP admissions drop
Student enrollment in Bengaluru’s BBMP schools and colleges has plummeted by 60% this year.
What’s it about? As of June 6, only 9,467 students have enrolled, compared to 24,030 in the previous year. High schools have seen an 85% decrease, with numbers falling from 8,122 to 1,230. Pre-pandemic enrollment figures ranged between 12,000 and 15,000. BBMP operates a total of 91 nursery schools, 15 primary schools, 32 high schools, 15 PU colleges, four degree colleges, and two post-graduation colleges.
- Officials attribute the decline to a reversal of the economic distress caused by COVID-19, which had previously driven higher enrollments in BBMP institutions.
- As parents’ financial situations stabilise, they are opting to transfer their children back to private schools, which are perceived to offer better education and teaching faculties.
Improvement unlikely: There has also been a significant decrease in nursery school enrollment, dropping from 4,963 to 935 students. Despite the hope that numbers might rise by the July 31 admission deadline, the commencement of the academic year makes this unlikely.
📵 Protest against jail’s signal blockers
Residents near Parappana Agrahara protested against the Tower-Harmonious Call Blocking System (T-HCBS) jammers affecting their daily lives.
What’s it about? These jammers, intended to prevent the illegal use of mobile phones within the prison, have been disrupting 4G and 5G network services for the surrounding neighbourhood since their installation in January. Protesters, including entrepreneurs, techies, and residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), reported that the jammers were hindering signals, SMS delivery, and call services up to 700 metres away from the prison, far beyond the intended 100-metre radius.
- This has affected over 20,000 people, including those living in high-rise apartments on Hosa Road.
- Concerns were raised about the inability to receive OTPs, disruptions to online delivery services, and difficulties in reaching school-going children in emergencies.
No comments: Despite repeated complaints, officials from the Prisons and Correctional Services Department have declined to comment on the issue.
🛣️ Toll on STRR
The National Highways Authority of India will begin collecting tolls on the 42-kilometer Dobbspet-Doddaballapur stretch of the Bengaluru Satellite Town Ring Road starting June 14.
What’s it about? This stretch, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11, has been fully operational and significantly reduces traffic congestion in Bengaluru. The toll will be applicable to all personal and commercial vehicles, while two-wheelers are exempt.
- Commuters using the entire 76.15 km ring road connecting Dobbspet to Hoskote via Doddaballapur and Devanahalli will pay ₹185 for single journeys and ₹275 for round trips completed within a day.
- Vehicles will have their number plates and weight scanned 50 meters from the toll plaza, and barriers will open automatically if payment is made through FastTag.
Use to rise: NHAI project director KB Jayakumar stated that this first Ring Road under the STRR project has eased city traffic by providing an alternative route for vehicles from Tumakuru Road to Hoskote. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles use this route daily, a number expected to rise with the completion of the Chennai-Bangalore highway.
🧑🏽⚖️ Divorces rise
Bengaluru has seen a significant rise in divorce cases this year, with a 15% YoY increase.
What’s it about? The growing trend is evident across various societal classes, particularly among the working population, IT professionals, and the entertainment sector. Factors contributing to this surge include health issues, declining family values, lack of intimacy, dowry harassment, and ego problems per citizens.
- The empowerment and financial independence of women have led to more assertive actions in seeking divorces.
- Mental health issues have also emerged as a significant factor.
Address underlying issues: Experts are emphasising the importance of compatibility and suggest addressing underlying problems to reduce divorce rates.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Did you study in a government or government-aided school?
- I studied in a government or government-aided school.
- I did not study in a government or government-aided school.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
Should prisoners be allowed supervised cell phone access?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Stove Kraft has announced a new corporate office in the city.
- BBMP was left scrambling as rains felled trees all over the city.
- 550 cyclists registered for the first edition of the ‘Pedaluru’ event in the city.
- Tunnelling work for the pink line of the metro has slowed down as the TBMs encountered rough terrain.
- BBMP is considering a ₹100 per month garbage tax to enhance the city’s waste management.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!