News Citizen Matters, Bengaluru

Body to protect Bengaluru’s biodiversity revived, but can it help?

September 15, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

Bengaluru recently revived its Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), which is supposed to be the local authority for biodiversity conservation. But lack of clarity on their roles and powers have made BMCs largely ineffective across the country.

Will vehicle ban in Cubbon Park worsen traffic congestion? No, finds IISc study

September 14, 2020 News Desk

A recent IISc study finds that allowing vehicles inside Cubbon Park does not help reduce traffic. Instead, a vehicle ban in the park can reduce both emissions and the overall distance motorists travel.

Bengaluru Buzz: State appoints BBMP Administrator | Flooding | Rail platform ticket fare hiked…and more

September 13, 2020 News Desk

As the BBMP Council’s term ended on Thursday, the state government has appointed an administrator who will now decide on all affairs of the city. Catch up on this and other news from the past week, in our roundup.

Metro reopening: What are the lessons from global cities?

September 12, 2020 Pragathi R

Many global cities have been able to run their train services without COVID transmission in the last few months. But they also seem to have taken more precautions than Namma Metro has.

Opinion: Bankrupt BBMP should be replaced by an efficient, powerful Metropolitan Council

September 11, 2020 V Balasubramanian

Solving Bengaluru’s problems of water, traffic, pollution, etc., requires a powerful, efficient body. A Bengaluru Metropolitan Council headed by the Chief Minister could be a solution.

Opinion: BBMP Bill offers nothing new, can’t solve Bengaluru’s problems

September 10, 2020 V Balasubramanian

State government is planning to soon enact the BBMP Bill for Bengaluru’s governance. But the city’s growing problems cannot be solved with the current governance structure or by merely increasing the number of wards, as envisioned in the Bill.

Needed: SOP for sanitising Metro coaches

September 8, 2020 Manoj Sharma

Despite elaborate safety measures, the Metro saw few takers on its first day of operation. A sanitisation schedule, if made public, could boost commuter confidence.

Over 100 college students are aiding Bengaluru’s pourakarmikas during COVID. Here’s how.

September 7, 2020 Smriti Easwar and Risha Vaidya

Bengaluru’s pourakarmikas are suffering from delayed wages and poor work conditions even through COVID. A group of college students are now distributing ration kits and sanitary pads to these workers by raising funds on social media.

Bengaluru Buzz: Metro reopening | Rooftop solar mapping tool | BBMP election may be postponed…and more

September 5, 2020 News Desk

COVID rules on travelling in Namma Metro, tool for citizens to assess rooftop solar potential of their homes, government to approach court seeking BBMP election postponement – catch up on news over the week in our roundup.

How a young Bengalurean helped countless COVID patients with the right info on hospital beds

September 4, 2020 Santosh Doddaiah

Santosh Doddaiah, 25, founded Covidbeds.org when he realised that government’s data on COVID hospital beds was wrong. He and his team have been directing patients to the right hospitals, and are now offering counselling and ambulance services too.

It’s high time BMTC got people with disabilities on board. Here are five steps to ensure this.

September 4, 2020 Euan Morrison, Prajwal N and Prof. Ajay Bailey

A recent survey finds that even the bus stations included under the Accessible India campaign are unfriendly towards people with disabilities. Lower fares, better infrastructure and participatory planning can ensure the BMTC is equally accessible to all.

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