Good morning, Bengaluru!
⛅ Today’s weather: High: 36 ℃ | Low: 22 ℃ | Partly cloudy sky.
🧐 Did you know? The Soladevanahalli pumping station, established in 1896, was the first to supply Bengaluru with piped water from the Arkavathi River.
🗳️ Seniors and PwD vote from home
Over 4,000 Bengaluru residents, aged 85 and above, as well as persons with disabilities, participated in the vote-from-home initiative on Saturday.
What’s it about? In an effort to facilitate electoral participation, Bengaluru has launched a vote-from-home program for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwD). On the first day of the initiative, 4,459 residents cast their votes across Bangalore North, Central, and South Lok Sabha constituencies, under BBMP limits and the Bengaluru Urban area. The program is set to continue through April 18.
- Out of 1,13,108 eligible senior citizens, only 7,556 registered to vote from home, while out of 30,693 identified people with disabilities, just 302 registered.
- Voting totals by zone were: BBMP Central (1,337 votes), BBMP South (1,313 votes), BBMP North (985 votes), and Bangalore Urban (824 votes).
What do people say? Some residents praised the smooth operation, though concerns were raised about safety precautions such as the wearing of masks by officials.
🆒 Surge in demand for ACs and coolers
A notable shift in consumer behaviour in Bengaluru has led to increased demand for air conditioners and coolers, with sales spiking significantly this summer.
Against tradition: Traditionally experiencing a short demand window for cooling devices, Bengaluru is witnessing an unexpected rise in inquiries and purchases of air conditioners and coolers this season. Satyamurthy, from Ind Air Con Engineers, reported a 35% increase in inquiries since March, an unusual pattern for the city known for its mild climate.
- Residents are installing additional cooling units in their homes to cope with the increased temperatures, moving away from less effective alternatives.
- Razi Ahamed of Premium Cooling and Interior Solutions observed a rise in both residential and commercial purchases, with many customers buying their first cooling devices.
Hi-tech required: Consumers are not only seeking relief from the heat but are also interested in advanced features such as WiFi connectivity and energy efficiency, as noted by Syed Ahmed of Samsung Opera House.
💧 Reviving Puttenahalli Puttakere
Amid a severe water crisis in Bengaluru, the rejuvenation of Puttenahalli Puttakere stands as a beacon of successful community-driven lake conservation.
What’s it about? Once a neglected garbage dump, Puttenahalli Puttakere in Bengaluru’s JP Nagar has transformed into a thriving ecosystem, thanks to concerted efforts by local residents and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). This revival journey began in earnest in 2010 when BBMP took charge of the lake from various governmental custodians.
- Critical initial steps included removing decades of accumulated silt, installing rainwater inlets, and diverting surface runoff.
- The lake now receives treated water from nearby residential complexes, ensuring continuous water supply.
The caretakers: The Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) was pivotal, starting with tree plantations in 2010 and later becoming the official citizen caretakers of the lake in 2011. PNLIT, supported by donations and CSR funds, organizes regular events like bird watching and musical evenings to engage the community and promote conservation awareness.
🥵 Scorching heat cools down bustling markets
The relentless heat wave in Bengaluru has significantly dampened the vibrant activity on the city’s popular shopping streets such as Commercial Street, Brigade Road, and Church Street, leading to a noticeable decline in foot traffic and sales.
What’s it about? The usually crowded shopping districts of Bengaluru are experiencing a stark reduction in visitors, with businesses across various sectors feeling the impact. Sohail Yusuf, president of the Brigade Road Traders’ Association, noted a drastic decrease in customers, with streets that were once packed now nearly empty. Similarly, Krishne Gowda from Bookworm on Church Street reported a drop in daily visitors from 75-80 to just 35.
- Retailers have adjusted their operations, with many extending shopping hours into the cooler nighttime and others investing in cooling systems like air conditioners and providing amenities such as water bottles to enhance customer comfort.
- Restaurants are still attracting some customers, but overall street activity is minimal.
A struggle for vendors: Many customers have turned to online shopping to avoid the discomfort of the heat. Street artists and vendors find it increasingly difficult to operate under the harsh conditions, with many choosing to temporarily close their stalls.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you prefer wearing a cap while stepping out?
- I prefer wearing a cap while stepping out.
- I don’t prefer wearing a cap while stepping out.
❓ Today’s Question
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Which electronics brand do you trust the most?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- BWSSB plans to rejuvenate the 128-year-old Soladevanahalli pumping station.
- The IMD forecasts an extended dry period in Bengaluru for another week.
- A new weekly night train between Kalaburagi and Bengaluru has been launched.
- The Karaga procession in Bengaluru is scheduled for April 23.
- A steel flyover between Raj Bhavan to Esteem Mall will have an open toll system.
That’s it for today. Have a great day!