Arjun Rajan, Author at Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Why the air inside your home could be as toxic as that outside

March 13, 2019 Arjun Rajan

India’s dubious distinction in terms of air quality is widely discussed, but the focus of discussion has typically been outdoor pollution. Yet, right here in Bengaluru, indoor pollution poses serious risks for several communities, cutting across class. What are the sources of indoor pollution and how can it be addressed?

‘Flouting of norms by builders poses fire hazards for buildings’

February 26, 2019 Arjun Rajan

The Beyond Carlton Memorial Lecture ‘ Our cities on Fire’ was held during the anniversary of Carlton Towers fire, after nine years of the tragedy. A campaign to assess fire risk assessments for apartments was launched. A food delivery boy who saved 10 people at a hospital fire in Mumbai was felicitated.

Long-neglected Varthur lake awaits rejuvenation

February 21, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Very little has been done over the years by the authorities in rejuvenating Varthur lake. The recent National Green Tribunal order on Varthur and Bellandur lakes comes as a respite to the citizens around the area.

BBMP to proceed with separate wet waste tender, wastepickers to collect dry waste

February 9, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Bengaluru is about to get a separate collection system for segregated wet, sanitary and street sweeping waste. There has been opposition to this proposal especially from councillors, but BBMP will be going ahead with this plan.

The lake of thousand birds to receive treated water by mid-year

January 31, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Sarakki lake saw a host of demolitions when it got flooded a few years ago. Lake teams working for the rejuvenation of the lake have had an eventful journey along with the lake, which will see water entering into it in a few months.

Yelahanka’s dry lake to get a new life soon

January 29, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Forest Department is rejuvenating Yelahanka Puttenahalli lake. Work is to be completed by mid-February, but a BWSSB pipeline project is creating issues.

Why HSR residents are fighting in court against KCDC compost plant

January 25, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Years of follow ups have not been able to help the KCDC plant in HSR Layout function scientifically, and residents are bearing the brunt. A residents welfare association has recently filed a writ petition in the High Court demanding the closure of the plant.

44% of those who died on Bengaluru’s roads in 2017 were pedestrians

January 3, 2019 Arjun Rajan

Yet another research shows that pedestrians are the most vulnerable when it comes to road accidents. The Footpath Initiative attempts to promote pedestrian safety with the help of data-based analysis on pedestrian crashes in Bengaluru.

How mishandling of garbage contributes to Bengaluru’s air quality crisis

December 28, 2018 Arjun Rajan

The mismanagement of solid waste continues in Bengaluru with incessant garbage burning. There are PILs filed in the High Court, but will they help reducing burning of garbage?

Parents, activists and academia divided while State Cabinet intends to modify RTE rules

December 11, 2018 Arjun Rajan

State Cabinet has decided to amend the Right to Education rules to go for private schools only where government schools do not exist. Legal precedence doesn’t support this. What are the implications of the amendment, and what are parents worried about?

Can mechanised sweepers help Bengaluru deal with dust?

December 4, 2018 Arjun Rajan

While BBMP plans to introduce more than 30 mechanised sweepers in the near future to address dust pollution in the city, experts and researchers advocate a holistic approach towards eliminating dust.

Here’s how BMTC is trying to keep emission levels in check

November 23, 2018 Arjun Rajan

With over 6000 buses, many of them being very old, the city transport system in Bengaluru could easily be a bulk entity that can be targeted for vehicular emission. The BMTC has also realised this—it is evident in the steps taken to put in place systems to control emissions and improve the quality of vehicles.

Better upkeep helps BMTC achieve fewer breakdowns

November 20, 2018 Arjun Rajan

Number of breakdowns seem to have reduced among BMTC buses. How did it happen? What changed within the BMTC administration to achieve this?

A school in the cloud contributes to quality of teaching and learning in Karnataka’s schools

November 16, 2018 Arjun Rajan

Learning outcomes in government schools and affordable private schools remain lower, due to the quality of teachers and other related issues. Can an app help teachers better their own skills of teaching? Meghshala is trying to crack the right formula for this.

Multiple interventions fail to curb vehicular emissions in Bengaluru

October 31, 2018 Arjun Rajan

Several studies have pointed to the increasingly toxic air in the city, some pegging the levels of polluting particulate matter at three times the WHO-prescribed standards. What contributes to this and why is it so difficult to check?