Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 28 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers.
🧐 Did you know? The average e-shopper in the city spends more than 4 hours each week on e-commerce sites.
🛵 Drive against delivery riders
The Bengaluru Traffic Police launched a major enforcement drive targeting e-commerce delivery riders, issuing nearly 6,000 fines for various traffic violations and collecting a total of ₹30.57 lakh in penalties.
What’s it about? The crackdown aimed to address the increasing frequency of traffic offences committed by delivery personnel, who often feel pressured to meet stringent delivery timelines.
- The operation led to 5,979 recorded violations, encompassing 12 different types of infractions.
- The most common offence was pillion riders not wearing helmets, with 2,304 cases.
E-bikers scrutinised: E-bikes, typically used for short delivery routes, were also closely monitored. Although e-bikes are exempt from certain requirements like helmets and registration under the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, riders still receive fines for behaviours like riding on footpaths, parking on footpaths, driving against one-way traffic, and disobeying traffic signals.
🚇 Double-decker metro line
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to introduce a double-decker metro line as part of its Phase 3 Namma Metro expansion.
What’s it about? This new line follows the recent completion of a double-decker flyover between Ragigudda and Silk Board, with construction for the metro line expected to start shortly.
- Phase 3 involves constructing double-decker flyovers on three main routes.
- Key stretches of the phase include JP Nagar 4th Stage to Kempapura and Hosahalli to Kadabagere, with elevated pathways, metro stations, ramps, and road infrastructure linking areas such as Summanahalli Cross to Kadabagere and JP Nagar Station to Nagarabhavi BDA Complex.
Issuing tenders: BMRCL has initiated the tendering process to design the infrastructure, which will include a depot, skywalk, and multi-modal transport hub near Peenya and Summanahalli, promoting efficient links between various transit options.
🤝 Floik acquired
Coimbatore-based B2B SaaS company Kovai.co has acquired Floik, a city-based B2C SaaS provider, to enhance its AI-powered knowledge management software, Document360.
What’s it about? Known for its enterprise software solutions, Kovai.co aims to leverage Floik’s interactive demos, videos, and guides to expand Document360’s offerings, which are currently utilised by over 2,500 global customers.
- Floik, backed by Elevation Capital, provides interactive tools that improve user adoption by guiding users through software features.
- The platform had gained traction in the SaaS market, serving over 8,000 users worldwide.
Employees retained: To maintain continuity, six Floik staff members, led by Floik’s founder Vidyasankar Krishnamurthy, will join Kovai.co to focus on product development and customer support.
🏢 Real estate registrations decline
Bengaluru’s residential property market experienced a decline in registrations and sales value in the July-September 2024 quarter.
What’s it about? Registrations dropped by 8% year-on-year, with 25,259 units registered, and the total sales value decreased by 15% to ₹15,739 crore from ₹18,505 crore in the same quarter last year.
- The average home price fell by 7% to ₹62 lakh, reflecting a natural market adjustment after a period of rapid growth.
- Most property transactions (86%) were below ₹1 crore, with 47% of the registered transactions involving apartments between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet.
Hotspot: North Bengaluru remained the busiest micro-market, accounting for 40% of all transactions due to its proximity to Kempegowda International Airport, with localities like Chikkasanne and Chikkasandra seeing high activity.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Have you ever personally seen a delivery rider drive rashly?
- I have personally seen a delivery rider drive rashly.
- I have not personally seen a delivery rider drive rashly.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s something the BMRCL can learn from other metro administrators?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- Bengaluru Traffic Police has urged online delivery firms to offer incentives to gig workers for safe riding.
- KSRTC has announced a new Volvo bus service between Bengaluru and Nilakkal, the base point for the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
- A study by the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research has achieved a 75% success rate in predicting fog around the city airport.
- The city will face water supply disruptions between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm today.
- The Indian Cacao and Craft Chocolate Festival is returning to the city with workshops, international labels, and a first-ever international tasting session.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have been to a BangaloreOne centre: 40.0%
- I have not been to a BangaloreOne centre: 60.0% 🏆
That’s it for today. Have a great day!