February | 2019 | | Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

‘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.

With meagre pay and unhealthy conditions, why do Bengaluru pourakarmikas continue in their jobs?

February 26, 2019 Krupa Sriram

Illiteracy, caste dynamics and social constraints of a migrant worker — a survey in Whitefield reveals the mix of factors that keep a pourakarmika bound to her profession, irrespective of the conditions and compensation.

Bengaluru Buzz: BBMP passes Rs 12,574 cr budget | Aero Show tragedy | Summer brings health problems… and more

February 25, 2019 News Desk

From the fire at aeroshow to summer outbreak of diseases to BBMP’s budget session discussions, all important stories from the last week in one place.

Initiative to improve fire safety in Bengaluru Apartments

February 22, 2019 News Desk

Beyond Carlton, in partnership with BAF, Citizen Matters, Jain (Deemed-to-be-University) and When-It–Strikes, will offer Fire-Risk Assessment for Bengaluru Apartments.

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.

Why Metro can help Bengaluru but elevated road can’t

February 18, 2019 Ashish Verma

An elevated corridor will only decrease the sustainability of the transport system and overall livability of the city. But a mass rapid public transport scenario like a metro on the same corridor will help the city achieve the right modal share balance.

Bengaluru Buzz: Shutters down for Graphite India | Study shows shrinking lakes | Aero show security… and more

February 18, 2019 News Desk

From the news on Bengaluru’s lakes, aero show and shutting down of a polluting factory in Whitefield, important things you might want to know about Bengaluru in one place.

Navigating the English medium conundrum in Karnataka

February 15, 2019 Revathi Siva Kumar

State budget has announced that 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools will start English-medium sections in Class 1, in addition to the Kannada medium, in pilot mode, Is the vision behind English mediums schools justified?

Union govt is boosting suburban rail in Bengaluru, State needs to step up

February 13, 2019 Sanjeev Dyamannavar

Once the State and Railways get on the same page on suburban rail, it will be a matter of a few months to see real progress. How much time before this happens?

Indian Music Experience project: Creating informed audience for Indian music

February 9, 2019 Manasi Paresh Kumar

Featuring over 400 artists, the museum boasts of some priceless artefacts, like Ustad Bismilla Khan’s Shehnai and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s silver pan box. The idea was to create an informed audience for music, who are aware of the history and efforts that went into preserving Indian music.

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.

What I learned from two pilots who died saving my neighbourhood

February 7, 2019 Kalpana Komal

It only takes a microsecond to take a decision, but the priorities themselves take time to build. Over years, perhaps. But how do we inculcate in ourselves these priorities?

Bellandur singlehandedly contributes 103 Cr to BBMP’s 1926 Cr property tax collection

February 7, 2019 Meera K

Bellandur includes residential and tech park properties on Outer Ring Road and Sarjapur Road. This contributes the most property tax, followed by Shantala Nagar that covers the Central Business District area.

Here’s how Bengaluru can save road space by incentivising smaller cars

February 5, 2019 Dattatreya T Devare

In an era where the tax is based on the price of the car and not other parameters, vehicle area tax can be a tool to help the government generate more revenue and disincentivise big cars to help reduce congestion.

BPAC submits objections to electricity tariff hike

February 5, 2019 Sharath SR

B.PAC submitted strong objections to BESCOM’s proposal for increase of electricity tariff by INR 1.01 per unit for FY-20 based on extensive data analysis.

Civic

Nominate heroes for Namma Bengaluru Awards before Feb. 28

February 4, 2019 Priya Darshini S

Namma Bengaluru Awards (NBA) Trust launched the 10th edition ‘Namma Bengaluru Awards 2019’ (NBA) in Bengaluru last week. NBA is a pursuit for Unsung heroes, who have striven to make Bengaluru a better city, braving

Bengaluru’s children will thank traffic police through February

February 1, 2019 Flora Macaulay

Children showered Bengaluru Traffic Police with praises and commended the unending zeal and tenacity that they display despite the numerous challenges they face every day.