Charmadi Ghat Road connecting coastal Karnataka to rest of state closed after landslides

Landslides

The Charmadi Ghat Road will remain closed for a month due to the restoration work being done after the damage caused by landslides.

Prajwal Bhat

The Dakshina Kannada district administration announced that vehicle movement on Charmadi Ghat Road, a link road connecting coastal Karnataka to the rest of the state, will be prohibited for one month till September 14. This is being done in light of the restoration work due to the landslides that occurred because of the heavy rainfall. Five major landslides have occurred in the ghat section of Chikkamagaluru apart from 50 minor landslips. "We have asked for a month to complete restoration work throughout the ghat section. There have been five landslides which are critical and we have begun cleaning and restoration already,” Archana Kumar, Executive Engineer, National Highways, told TNM.  Charmadi Ghat, which is in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada and Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru, was closed on August 10 following landslides in Charmadi and Didupe on the Dakshina Kannada side, and in Banakal Sunkasale and Neranki on the Chikkamagaluru side.  The ghat section is part of National Highway 73, connecting Mangaluru to Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. Vehicles will now be re-routed via Ujire-Dharmasthala-Kokkada-Gundya- Shiradi and Mudigere Handpost-Jannapura-Anemahal -Shiradi-Gundya, a note released by the Dakshina Kannada district administration said.  While parts of Karnataka have been reeling from the heavy rainfall received in the past few days, environmentalist Dinesh Holla told TNM that the landslides are also a result of man-made causes. "Landslides are increasing due to human intervention in the Western Ghats. On the other side of the mountain, in places like Baluru and Kelagooru, a number of houses, resorts and home-stays have been constructed. This, in turn, affects lower-lying areas and contributes to landslides.”  Landslides were also reported in Anemahal near Yettinahole, close to the area where construction work on the Yettinahole river diversion project proposed in 2013-14 was taken up. "In the summer, water sources near Yettinahole dried up, and now, there is excess water. It is a cycle of floods and droughts. We cannot say it is a natural phenomenon when the role of construction work is evident," Dinesh added.  While Charmadi survived the deluge of the rains last year, landslides have struck many areas of the road this time around. Even Shiradi Ghat, which is 50 km away from Charmadi, was blocked due to landslides on Friday, effectively cutting off major routes linking Bengaluru to coastal Karnataka.  However, Shiradi Ghat is now open, and another route via Madikeri is also open after waterlogged areas in Kushalnagar were cleared up.     

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Bengaluru airport to be connected by suburban rail by end of 2019

Transport

Passengers have to wait longer for a metro link with no approved route as of now.

TNM Staff

Your chances of reaching the Bengaluru airport from the city without negotiating traffic snarls, thanks to the suburban train, may be materialising quite soon. According to a statement by the Bangalore International Airport, the operator of Kempegowda International Airport, the suburban rail on this route may be ready by as soon as the year end.  The introduction of suburban rail services will help hundreds of workers employed at the airport to travel long distances, and cost-sensitive passengers to commute to the airport as well. Currently, those relying on public transport to go the airport from Bengaluru have to avail cabs or BMTC airport shuttles that cost a minimum of Rs 150 from Hebbal to Rs 320 from Chandapura in Electronic City. Cab rides from the city can cost more than Rs 900. In a statement, BIAL said that it wants to utilise the existing Chikkaballapur-Yelahanka railway line that passes through the north-west boundary of the airport compound to start the initial round of services by building a railway station. “BIAL intends to make use of this existing infrastructure by constructing a station that would cater to the travel needs of people. The proposed station will be a Halt Station with all basic passenger amenities,” the airport management said.   The statement added, “The facility will be designed and built by BIAL and is expected to be operational by the end of 2019. BIAL is working closely with railway authorities on technical specifications of the station. From the station, passengers and visitors will be connected to different areas of the airport by a shuttle bus service that BIAL will operate.” BIAL added that with the suburban rail system catering to Bengaluru city and its suburbs taking shape, there will be further upgradation of services. “Overall if you consider the accessibility of the suburban rail link to the airport is much cheaper and faster, given it only needs an extension of 5 kilometres of tracks to reach the terminal,” says Sanjeev Dhyamanar, a public transport policy expert. “But this facility cannot cater to airport passengers singularly. The airport has been commissioned for more than a decade now and handles 25 million passengers in a year. It is high time for metro connectivity to the airport. The suburban rail, for now, will primarily help the airport workers, and cost-sensitive passengers who might choose to use it.” He added, “If a station inside the airport terminal can be readied in another four years, it will actually help passengers more. Gradually services from Baiyappanahalli, Whitefiled, and Yeshwantapur can be added. But the metro is also needed.” A route for the metro connectivity to the airport is yet to be approved by Centre after a round of changes to the existing plan. And given the history of delays and hiccups in the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) execution, many are skeptical about metro connectivity to the airport becoming a reality any time soon. Read: Delayed by several years, will Bengaluru ever get the 'Namma Metro' it deserves?    

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K’taka boy who guided an ambulance across flooded bridge recommended for bravery award

Floods

The boy in the video was 12-year-old Venkatesh, a Class VI student in Government Primary School at Hirerayanakumpe village of Raichur district.

TNM Staff

The boy from Raichur in Karnataka seen guiding an ambulance across a waterlogged road in a widely shared video, has been felicitated by the district administration during Independence Day celebrations. He has also been recommended for a bravery award for his act. The boy in the video was 12-year-old Venkatesh, a Class VI student in Government Primary School at Hirerayanakumpe village of Raichur district. The New Indian Express had reported this after tracing the boy to a rehabilitation centre at Shavantgera in Raichur. Taking note of the boy's heroics, IAS officer P Manivannan, Secretary, Labour Department, has now recommended the Women and Child Development Department to give him a bravery award for his act. "I am of the opinion that the above young student is entitled to be encouraged and honored for his act of bravery and wish to recommend for considering and including his name in the list of bravery awards in this year. I hope my recommendation will be weighed favorably", reads the letter by P Manivannan. Read: Meet Venkatesh, the Karnataka boy who guided an ambulance across a flooded bridge Venkatesh was playing with a group of friends when Manju, a driver with Prasanna Ambulance Services asked the group of boys to guide him across a waterlogged road. Venkatesh volunteered and a video of him wading through the water in front of the ambulance was shared widely last week. It was shown in the news and also shared on social media, where users called for the boy to be given a bravery award. Meanwhile, the rainfall has reduced in the upper Krishna river basin in a relief to rescue groups working in northern Karnataka. More than 5,000 people were evacuated in Raichur district and one column of the army and two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are currently carrying out evacuations.       

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K’taka CM announces dropping of Sharavathi project, environmentalists not rejoicing yet

Environment

Other than the lack of feasibility of the project, concerns raised were large-scale deforestation of the pristine Western Ghats, and water scarcity for Shivamogga residents.

Soumya Chatterjee

To the relief of residents of Shivamogga in Karnataka, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa who is also an MLA from the district, said that the controversial project to draw water for Bengaluru from Sharavathi river will not be taken up. The announcement was made by the CM on Tuesday as he was speaking to reporters in Sagar in the district. Other than the lack of feasibility of the project, concerns raised were large-scale deforestation of the pristine Western Ghats, water scarcity for Shivamogga residents and even lower power generation in the Sharavathi hydel power plant. Sahadev Shivapura, an environmentalist, part of the Paschima Ghatta Jagriti Vedike, a collective working towards conservation of the Western Ghat region in Karnataka is cautiously optimistic about the announcement. “We cannot celebrate just yet. This is a good decision. But let the government say that they won’t divert any west-flowing river for Bengaluru. Today they are moving away from Sharavathi because there was a big opposition. But tomorrow they might want to touch some other river or even start Yettinahole Stage-II,” he said. Read: Environmentalists oppose plan to take Sharavathi river water to Bengaluru Read more: The Yettinahole Project: Inefficient and a costly solution Another activist echoed the same opinion. Shankar Sharma, a resident of Sagara and a retired government engineer, said, “The development over the issue of Linganamakki water to Bengaluru, as reported in the media, is great news. But a stand taken by the present government may be revoked by another in the future.”  He explained, “It will be very helpful to assuage the feelings of the people of Malenadu and generally of the environmentally-conscious people of the state to clearly mention all the reasons for dropping this project proposal, and also mention that the drinking water needs of Bengaluru will be met by other suitable options. Such clarity about the project proposal will dissuade any other governments from reviving the project proposal. “ Read: Petitions against controversial Yettinahole project dismissed by NGT Background The project meant that water from the Linganamakki dam on the river would have be drawn to Bengaluru, 430 km eastwards, while the river flows westwards, requiring a high amount of power. In fact, activists claimed that to draw 30 TMC of water would require the same amount of energy which is the capacity of the hydel power plant. The project first proposed in 2013 was being pursued by the erstwhile HD Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government despite stiff opposition from scientists, environmentalists and even residents of Bengaluru and Shivamogga. The government had even started preparing a detailed project report for the project to be taken up by the Water Resources Department at an approximate cost of Rs 12,000 crore.    An online petition started by Bengaluru conservationist Vijay Nishanth against the project got the support of 7,500 people. There were protests held in Shivamogga as well by citizen groups and environmentalists under the umbrella of 'Sharavathi Ulisi Horata Samiti'. There was a district-wise strike held on July 10 as well for this cause. Activists connected to the movement claimed there was widespread support for the cause irrespective of people affiliated to different political sides. 

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Karnataka CM Yediyurappa orders probe into alleged 'phone-tapping' of leaders, police

Politics

The phone-tapping controversy came to light recently after an audio tape — in which new city Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao's name purportedly figured — was leaked to the media.

IANS

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the alleged phone-tapping of political leaders and senior police officers during the previous JD-S-Congress coalition government rule. "The Chief Minister has directed Chief Secretary TM Vijaya Bhaskar to inquire into the reported tapping of phones of political leaders, rebel legislators of the coalition allies and some IPS officers," Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda told reporters here after a meeting of the city's assembly and parliamentary members with Yediyurappa on the development of Bengaluru's infrastructure projects. Gowda represents the Bengaluru North seat in the Lok Sabha from the southern state. The phone-tapping controversy came to light recently after an audio tape in which new city Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao's name purpotedly figured was leaked to the media, alleging that he and two other IPS officers were vying for the high-profile post. "As unauthorised phone-tapping is a criminal offence, only a thorough inquiry will reveal who all were involved in the scandal. The culprits should be booked and punished," asserted Gowda. Gowda served as Chief Minister in the state for over a year from August 2011 to mid-September 2012 when the BJP was in power from 2008 to 2013. According to an interim report by the Joint Commissioner of Police (crime), Rao's conversations were tapped thrice between May and June after the Lok Sabha elections in the state were held in two phases on April 18 and April 23. In a sudden move on August 2, the BJP Chief Minister appointed the 1990 batch officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) Rao as the city police commissioner, replacing 1994 IPS officer Alok Kumar Singh, who assumed office only 47 days ago on June 17. Rao was Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) when his telecon was reportedly tapped, as he too was eyeing the coveted post. As Singh was transferred to replace Rao in the KSRP without completing even three months in the commissioner's post, he did not hand over the customary baton to Rao when the latter assumed charge on August 2. Yediyurappa, who became Chief Minister for the fourth time on July 26, is also the state home minister as he has not expanded his cabinet so far. "The phone-tapping occurred inadvertently when then Additional Commissioner of Police (crime) was legally intercepting calls of Injaz International managing director Misbauddin Mukarram, as an inquiry was underway on him for operating an alleged Ponzi scheme similar to that of IMA Jewellers founder and prime accused Mohammed Mansoor Khan and in which several investors were also duped of their savings in crores of rupees," the interim report stated.  Names and 'voices' of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and state's former PWD Minister HD Revanna of the JD(S) also figured in the 'audio' tapes. Revanna, a legislator from Holenarsipur in Hassan district, is the elder brother of former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and second son of former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda. In a related development, disqualified JD(S) rebel legislator AH Vishwanath lauded the Chief Minister for ordering a probe into the illegal phone-tapping of his and other disqualified rebel MLAs of the JD(S) and Congress in July after they resigned from their assembly seats and were camping in Mumbai from July 6-30. "As we came to know that our landlines at home and mobile phones were being bugged, we stopped using them and other phones to avoid being recorded," recalled Vishwanath, who was the party's working president. The former Congress minister from the old Mysuru region told reporters that about 300 phones were in surveillance during the 14-month tenure of the JD(S)-Congress government in the state on the instructions of then Chief Minister's Office. "All the rebel MLAs were threatened that our conversations would be made public if we did not withdraw our resignations and attend the assembly session to vote in favour of the trust vote, which Kumaraswamy lost (on July 23) as he did not have the numbers in his favour," recalled Vishwanath.

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Mysuru Dasara to be held traditionally but without extravagance this year: Yediyurappa

Festival

Award winning Kannada author SL Bhyrappa has been chosen to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival this year.

TNM Staff

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced on Wednesday that the Mysuru Dasara festival will be held traditionally but without any extravagance due to the situation of floods and drought in the state. "While there has been floods in some districts, there has been drought in others. In this context, Mysore Dasara should be traditionally celebrated without any extravagance", Yediyurappa said.  The decision was announced after a committee meeting making preparations for the festival. The festival will be held from September 29 to October 8 at a cost of Rs. 20.5 crore. Award winning Kannada author SL Bhyrappa has been chosen to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festival this year, Yediyurappa said.  "Mysore Dasara is a festival that highlights the culture and heritage of our country. During this time a large number of tourists visit Mysore and surrounding tourist destinations. This will benefit the economy", he added. The committee meeting was earlier scheduled on Friday but later postponed after heavy rains caused floods in Mysuru and other parts of Karnataka. More than 7 lakh people have been evacuated in the state due to floods and landslides affecting 21 districts.  Eventually, the meeting was held on Wednesday and Bhyrappa was chosen as the guest for the inauguration of the festival in Mysuru. The noted author's works including Vamshavruksha, Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Matadana and Nayi Neralu, have been turned into films that received critical acclaim.  "I am happy to hear this. I was at the Mysuru Dasara in 1949 and I have visited a few times since then. There was a festive atmosphere in Mysuru and many would come to the city from outside", Bhyrappa said speaking to reporters. Dasara is observed from the day of Navarathri till the day of Vijayadashami and is celebrated with pomp in Mysuru. The city has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the festival and preparations generally begin months in advance. However, due to the rains this year, preparations for the festival have been delayed.  "We had requested the Mysuru Dasara Authority to not scale down the festival and speed up preparation works", BS Prashanth, Chairman of Karnataka Tourism (Mysuru Chapter) said. With the announcement of the festival, preparations are now set to begin in Mysuru. 

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Pro-Kannada activists on day-long protest demanding jobs for locals in Karnataka

Politics

Activists began a satyagraha for 24 hours on Wednesday morning at the Gandhi Statue near Race Course Road in Bengaluru.

Prajwal Bhat

Activists began a fast and protest for 24 hours at 10 am on Wednesday morning at the Gandhi Statue near Race Course Road in Bengaluru. The protest will end at 10 am on Independence Day.  "We have been campaigning for jobs in Karnataka for Kannadigas for the last six months. We are taking the social media campaign and backing it up with a protest on ground to highlight this issue", said Arun Javagal, a member of the Kannada Grahakara Okoota, a pro-Kannada organisation. In February, the then Karnataka government led by HD Kumaraswamy announced that it will introduce a policy by which Kannadigas will be given 100% reservation for Kannadigas in Group C and D jobs in private establishments. This was partially based on recommendations made in the Sarojini Mahishi Committee report of 1986 which recommended job reservations for Kannadigas in government jobs, public sector units and even in the private sector. "In February, the government wanted to introduce a policy to give Kannadigas reservation in jobs including the private sector but they did not include Group A and B jobs like the IT industry," said Arun. Another pro-Kannada activist Ganesh said that "We want to pressurise the govt to bring 100 per cent reservation in all job categories - A,B,C, and D - in both private and government sector. We have seen Andhra Pradesh government which has brought 75% reservation for locals." AP decision reignites clamour for local job reservation The activists are demanding a policy similar to the one recently passed by Andhra Pradesh, which has reserved 75 per cent of jobs in industrial units and factories set up under public-private partnership mode for locals. The law also says that companies who are unable to find skilled workers among locals must train them with the support of the government. Andhra Pradesh became the first state in the country to pass such a law in July 2019. Taking cue from the move made in Andhra Pradesh, Goa is also planning to reserve up to 80% jobs in industrial units receiving State government subsidies for people of Goan origin. "When states like Andhra Pradesh and Goa are doing this when there was no major movement for it, our government should look into the cry for reserving jobs for locals in our own state," Arun added. 

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