Articles by Navya P K

Navya PK is a freelance journalist based in Kerala. She covers stories on environment, health and human rights. She has previously worked with Citizen Matters, Deccan Herald and The New Indian Express.

In the first half of 2011 alone, 1172 fire cases were reported in Bengaluru (BBMP) limits, says a top Karnataka fire department official. Following the High Court's ruling on a PIL filed by the Beyond Carlton group, the state government issued a notification on July 7 this year. The notification mandates co-ordination between BBMP and the state's Fire and Emergency Services department to check for fire safety in high rises.High rises (buildings with height above 15 m) are supposed to abide by safety norms of BBMP's building bye-laws, RMP (Revised Master Plan) and NBC (National Building Code). Unlike earlier, the…

Read more

When the BBMP budget was passed on Saturday, September 3rd, 171 corporators had got additional grants for ward works. While the allocation was Rs 1-4 crore for most wards, the highest allocation was for Mayor Sharadamma's ward Shettihalli (ward number 12). Mayor's ward received Rs 15 cr.The second highest allocation was Rs 8 cr, for Deputy Mayor S Harish's ward Nagapura (67). Rs 5 cr were allocated to Shanthinagar (117) and BTM layout (176), both of which are represented by Congress.The additional ward grants have taken the budget outlay from the earlier Rs 9196 cr to Rs 9380 cr. This…

Read more

The Vidyapeeta ITI layout in Kathriguppe relinquished four parks to BDA as per layout plan sanction regulations. But instead of handing over these parks to BBMP for maintenance, BDA granted two parks to private parties; none of the four sites are parks now. The layout residents have been fighting for proper use of these sites since 1995. In HAL 2nd stage, BDA leased out a CA site of 21,900 sq ft to Indiranagar Social Welfare Trust in 1991. The lease was for 30 years on annual rent of Rs 2, on the condition that the Trust would build educational institutions…

Read more

He is one the world's foremost authorities on public transportation, and in particular bus systems. He led the transformation of bus transport in his home city of Bogota, Columbia and has since been involved a host of cities around the world.Dario Hidalgo is in Bangalore for a few days and he and his team of people from EMBARQ, an international organisation that develops sustainable transport solutions, are training BMTC officials on improving it's BIG-10 services. EMBARQ works with local transport authorities in developing countries to help them adopt best international practices. Dario Hidalgo, is Director at EMBARQ. EMBARQ works with…

Read more

The BBMP budget was presented on 18 August, the discussions on budget went on for four days - from August 23-26. Some opposition leaders raised their points and asked for clarifications during the session. There were no official responses were given on the same day. The voting on the budget will be held on Saturday, September 3. BBMP budget discusion in progress. Pic: Yogaraj S Mudalgi Congress councillor M Nagaraj (Nandini Layout Ward 43), who was the opposition leader last yearAllocation is not equal for all wards; some have too many works proposed and others few. Many works proposed in…

Read more

During the launch of her book 'The Bad Boy's Guide to the Good Indian Girl' this month in Bangalore, co-author Annie Zaidi talked about a friend in college. Though Annie was close to her friend for three years, she never realised that her friend used to smoke through college even though smoking was banned in campus. It was many years later, when they met again, that Annie came to know about this.The book by Annie and Smriti Ravindran explains why Good Indian Girls (GIGs, as they are called in the book) have to be ashamed of something as simple as…

Read more

A commercial building located in between Fortis Hospital and Apollo Hospital along Bannerghatta road in Bengaluru is being demolished by the BBMP since August 19. The building, ‘Amalodhbhala Tower', is located in one part of a 2 acre 32 guntas government land which was encroached by the complex's owner, one Shantharaju. About half the demolition of 'Amalodhbala Tower' was complete by August 22. Pic: Navya P K. This encroachment was mentioned in the report of V Balasubramanian (IAS, Retd.), Chairman of the Task Force for Recovery and Protection of Public Lands, which was published in June. In addition to Shantharaju,…

Read more

In action replay of last year, BBMP has presented a massive budget outlay of Rs.9100 cr for the city on a base of unproven revenues and uncommitted grants. BBMP Council's budget session in progress on August 18th 2011. Pic: Navya P K. Last year BBMP's actual receipts were Rs 4930 cr lesser than the projected amount of Rs 8447 cr. This year, the gap may be bigger, with a seemingly impossible expectation of receipts of Rs 9112 cr. This, along with opening balance of Rs 85 cr, is expected to cover expenditure of Rs 9196 cr for 2011-12.Reading out the…

Read more

With rising petrol prices, electric bikes are fast becoming popular in the city. Those below 18 years are opting for low speed bikes, which have maximum speed of 25 km/hr. These bikes are not categorised as motor vehicles and hence do not need a driver's license, registration or insurance. Like any retail product, they can be purchased and used directly.Not yet 18 but can ride a bike Jayanagar-based Kushal Pabbi, 16, owns iStar, a 25 km/hr electric bike. A Ist PUC student in St Joseph's PU College in Richmond Road, he uses the bike mainly to travel to college and…

Read more

Enrollment for the much talked about UID or Aadhaar scheme is expanding in Bangalore starting this week. In addition to post offices, exclusive Aadhar enrollment centres have started functioning in the city from August 17. They are set up by the Centre for e-Governance (CEG) of the state government. UID/Aadhar 24x7 helpline for Bangalore 08044554455 Also, in a move that indicates the state government's intent to enable widespread access, enrollment centres are also being setup within residential communities as well.  From August 17, 9 day centres and 5 night centres have been set up for the general public. This is…

Read more