Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌦️ Today’s weather: More rain and the wind will pick up.
🧐 Did you know? Seshadripura receives its name from K Seshadri Iyer, a Dewan of Mysore State.
🤳 BLR Pulse app launch
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has unveiled the BLR Pulse app.
What’s it about? It aims at transforming the passenger experience at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Developed in collaboration with GrayMatter Software Services, the app offers an omnichannel platform to address common pre-travel concerns such as lengthy security queues and wait times.
- With real-time updates, BLR Pulse will inform travellers about entry gates, check-in counters, security areas, and flight statuses. It has a chatbot for queries.
- With the WayFinder function, passengers can easily navigate through the airport, while also making use of services like booking transit hotels and completing last-minute flight check-ins.
Seamless app: BLR Pulse integrates various technologies to provide a seamless experience, including indoor positioning, IoT, and data insights. It also features a single-cart capability for convenient payments. The app is available for download on Apple and Google Play stores.
Seamless travelling: BIAL aims to create a convenient travel experience, merging the physical and digital worlds to provide a unique and interactive environment for passengers and visitors.
🏗️ Dealing with debris
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to establish new conveniently located processing plants.
Fatal trouble: The BBMP is taking action to combat illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste by enlisting service providers to collect and transport the waste to dedicated processing plants. Currently, the city operates two processing plants, but their limited capacity hinders their effectiveness due to their distant locations.
- While marshals will continue to prevent illegal dumping, ward-level officials will be responsible for overseeing waste generators and ensuring proper disposal.
- The BBMP plans to establish five additional processing plants, four processing 750 tonnes per day (TPD) and one handling 1,000 TPD, to enhance accessibility and waste management efforts.
Root causes: The high transportation costs associated with the current remote location of processing plants lead to the illegal dumping of C&D waste by contractors and developers. The establishment of new plants in convenient locations is expected to reduce transportation costs and deter illegal dumping.
😁 Happy streets
Happy Streets in Malleswaram brought joy and creativity to the community.
Story so far: The days when streets transform into more than concrete-laden infrastructural conveniences are always memorable. Happy Streets, an initiative by The Times of India, concluded its season in Malleswaram with a vibrant celebration featuring a ventriloquist storytelling session, children eagerly engaging in pottery, elders receiving blood pressure checks at a health clinic, and a lively mass Zumba session.
- Thousands of Bengalureans reclaimed their streets from the constant traffic flow in Koramangala, Kalyan Nagar, Jayanagar, Whitefield, and Malleswaram.
- The BBMP, Bengaluru traffic police, and police personnel supported the event. It was organised over 15 weeks.
Social good: Makkala Jagriti, a group for underprivileged children, organised a pebbles game that attracted a large crowd. Five seniors took turns demonstrating Falun Dafa, a Chinese meditation form. Residents’ groups in Malleswaram used the occasion to invite new members and promote their cultural events.
🚴 Cycling for safety
On Sunday, 300 Bengalureans cycled to spread awareness about road safety.
Event details: Over 300 enthusiastic citizens took part in a cycling and running event from Nagarbhavi to Basaveshwaranagar to raise awareness about road safety, health, and infrastructure improvements, emphasising the need for better cycling infrastructure for cleaner air, road safety, and improved health in Bengaluru.
- The event included activities for individuals of all ages and abilities, with participants receiving BIB kits and engaging in warm-up Zumba sessions.
- Participants were awarded medals and health checkup coupons. They signed an online petition urging investment in cycling and pedestrian-friendly streets, which has garnered over 9,000 supporters so far.
Why it matters? Dhanush, a Guinness World Record holder, expressed his delight at the event, hoping that the growing participation would inspire more people to take up cycling, reduce pollution, and promote healthier lives. With Bengaluru facing severe traffic congestion, adopting cycling is crucial.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you attended Happy Streets?
- I have attended Happy Streets.
- I haven’t attended Happy Streets.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
How would you describe the people of Bengaluru in one sentence?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- REC to lend ₹3,045 crore for Bengaluru Metro Phase 2.
- Read about the precautions for a safe journey in the monsoon season.
- Here’s a piece about how Cubbon Reads took India by storm.
- Papier-mâché gains prominence in the sustainability movement.
- Here is how to avail of 200 units of free power under the Gruha Jyoti Scheme.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I enjoy true crime stories: 81.8% 🏆
- I don’t enjoy true crime stories: 18.2%
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
If you could change something about Brigade Road, what would it be?
Datta: “Make it a vehicle-free zone along with Church Street”
Aayush: “Ban vehicles on Brigade Road, as well as Church Street to make it a pedestrian-friendly shopping district.”
Ankita: “Help visitors focus more on the historical and cultural significance of Brigade Road and the areas around, rather than just the shopping and nightlife. It is such an incredibly culturally rich area, I feel like most people are missing out on all the stories and places just because no one ever bothers to mention them!”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!