Vinay Sreenivasa Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Arrangements made by BMTC in collaboration with various other agencies to ply migrant workers from Orissa to Chikkabanavara Railway Station during COVID-19 lockdown in Bengaluru. Pic: Twitter handle of BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar

“BMTC should be both safe and affordable during Lockdown 4.0”

May 18, 2020 Vinay Sreenivasa

Low-income groups who have been badly hit by the lockdown, form a large proportion of BMTC users. So, as BMTC resumes services, it should focus not just on safety but also affordability.

Street vendors demand relief, offer support to govt in tackling COVID-19

April 23, 2020 Vinay Sreenivasa

Even as they demand relief, street vendors in Bengaluru are offering to support the government by running community kitchens and delivering essentials to households.

Volunteers delivering relief kits to the needy. Pic: Hasiru Dala/Facebook

‘WithBengaluru’ collective delivers over 11,000 ration kits to the poor, asks CM to solve the larger crisis

April 17, 2020 Vinay Sreenivasa

‘WithBengaluru’, a collective of individuals and organisations, has distributed over 11,000 ration kits to vulnerable people in Bengaluru during the lockdown. They have now asked the Chief Minister to take a specific set of measures, so as to tackle the food crisis.

Commuters willing to shift to BMTC if fares are reduced, finds survey

February 19, 2020 Vinay Sreenivasa

A survey conducted by the advocacy group BBPV found that working class commuters spend a lot more while travelling in BMTC than in other transport modes.

“Govt move to slash BMTC fares and increase fleet is a huge win for Bengaluru”

November 12, 2019 Vinay Sreenivasa

The recent government decision to reduce bus fares and add 6000 buses to BMTC’s fleet is commendable, says the Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike. But questions remain as to the amount of fare reduction, method of procuring buses etc

“Bus lanes welcome, but govt must plan effectively to ensure they don’t fail”

October 1, 2019 Vinay Sreenivasa

Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) welcomes the government decision to introduce dedicated bus lanes in Bengaluru. Authorities should study BRTS in other cities and also hold public consultations before implementing the project, the group says

Hundreds of workers from across Karnataka gathered at Karmikara Bhavana to protest against low wages and discrimination. Pic: Vinay Sreenivasa

Garment factory workers protest lack of minimum wages

September 14, 2019 Vinay Sreenivasa

While most workers in Karnataka now get minimum wages of Rs 11,557 per month, garment factory workers are still paid Rs 7000-8000. State government has not increased their wages as per the law, or even after a recent court order

“Govt decision to replace AC buses welcome, but not enough”

June 28, 2019 Vinay Sreenivasa

The recent government decision to replace Volvo AC buses with regular buses is welcome, but more should be done to provide quality service to all commuters, says the collective Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike

BMTC commuters ask State to not hike bus fare

January 18, 2019 Vinay Sreenivasa

Should the BMTC hike public bus fares while the State is spending heavily on roads that will encourage private transport? Bus passengers write to the government, saying no to fare hikes.

BBMP promises timely wages and pay slips to contract civic workers

December 13, 2018 Vinay Sreenivasa

BBMP Contract Civic Workers Union held a protest to draw BBMP’s attention to the pending issues faced by the civic workers. BBMP promised to resolve them, as always.

‘Spend on education, health and environment, not on elevated corridors’

November 19, 2018 Vinay Sreenivasa

Public health experts, educationists, environmentalists and many citizens from Bengaluru concerned about government’s decision on elevated corridors got together to discuss the issue, under Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike platform.

95% commuters vote against bus fare hike in Bengaluru’s BMTC buses

September 21, 2018 Vinay Sreenivasa

Though the poll held over two hours covered only a small number of commuters, the results reflect the larger sentiment among commuters.

Street vendors to BBMP: cover all street vendors in surveys, issue id cards to all

July 18, 2018 Vinay Sreenivasa

Legalising street vending in Bengaluru is still a long shot, and there are many things that the BBMP needs to do. What are they?

Civic workers protest against abusive contractor

October 26, 2017 Vinay Sreenivasa

Civic workers who gathered at the protest venue posed a few tough questions to the authorities, some of which went unanswered.

Pourakarmikas to protest against abuse and sexual harassment by contractors

October 24, 2017 Vinay Sreenivasa

A contractor emboldened by lax attitude of BBMP abused and harassed 37 women pourakarmikas. Poura Karmikas will protest against this in Bengaluru, asking to remove the contract system and justice for abused women.