Gandhians re-enact 'satyagraha' in Bengaluru to promote sacred' economy

Livelihoods

"By sacred economy, we mean a production system which creates maximum jobs with least investment and zero damage to the environment," said noted Gandhian SR Hiremath.

IANS

Calling for job creation and protecting the natural ecosystem to promote a sacred economy, Gandhians on Wednesday re-enacted Mahatma Gandhi's famous 'satyagraha'  in Bengaluru on his sesquicentennial. "By sacred economy, we mean a production system which creates maximum jobs with least investment and zero damage to the environment," said noted Gandhian SR Hiremath on the occasion.. With another Gandhian Prasanna, 75-year-old Hiremath revived the non-violent political resistance (satyagraha) Gandhiji initiated against the British rule across the country at Vallab Niketan, an orphanage social reformer Vinobha Bhave had set up to prevent bright people from increasing wealth and consumerism and imbibe Bapu's values. Hiremath returned from the US to lead an austere life, upholding Gandhian values and settled at Dharwad, a hub of Indian culture, about 430 kms northwest of this tech hub. As part of the satyagraha, Prasanna, a 68-year-old social activist and theatre personality, will embark on a fast to draw the attention of the industry leaders, eminent people and the state to achieve a sacred economy. "In the prevailing situation, the Indian economy is on the verge of collapse, as evident from the loss of over 3 lakh jobs during the last three months in the organised sector alone and many more in the unorganized sector," Prasanna told IANS. Urging the government to focus also on farmers, small traders, vendors, handicrafts and small businesses in the unorganized sector than only on corporates and industry, Prassana said in the worsening automobile sector, the ancillary units are the sacred economy as they are job intensive. "It's a blatant lie to say the auto sector in India constitutes 48 per cent of the workforce in the organized sector, which is largely automated," asserted Prasanna. Using satyagraha as a platform, the Gandhians called on the youth to question the government on being mindful only of the rich and not the poor. "The government should give tax discounts to small sectors and producers of handicrafts, not corporates or India Inc alone," said Prasanna. Expressing disenchantment on incumbent governments, Prasanna said whether it is the BJP or the Congress rule, their governments are going to be mindful of the big businesses. Both the Gandhians professed faith in the teachings of Gandhi.

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Bandipur night traffic ban to stay, can’t go against court: Karnataka CM Yediyurappa

Controversy

The Kerala government has insisted that the existing night traffic ban be lifted on a 25 km stretch.

TNM Staff

In a major relief for environmentalists, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday stated that the state government will not allow the lifting of the night traffic ban from the core tiger habitat of the Bandipur National Park. "I cannot go against the court order. The court has ordered not to allow vehicles in the night in Bandipur forest area," the CM said. The statement from the CM came a day before Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to join protests in Wayanad by groups who are seeking the relaxation of the ban. Ahead of his visit, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had also held a meeting with Rahul Gandhi on the issue. The Kerala government has been insisting that the existing night traffic ban be bypassed on a 25-km stretch of National Highway 212 (now called 766), by cutting through a core part of the forest with an elevated corridor. The Supreme Court had also upheld this night traffic ban earlier in August. In March 2018, the National Tiger Conservation Authority had advised the Centre against moving ahead with the project, as it could have adverse effects on the forest habitat, where over a hundred tigers currently reside. The existing traffic ban on traffic flow after dark came into effect in 2009 while the Karnataka High Court was hearing a case pertaining to roadkill. At least 215 animals were killed by oncoming traffic between 2004 and 2007, according to the court. Recently TNM had reported a note by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar to Pinarayi had also reiterated that the union government will not allow such a project.  In that letter, the union minister said, “Your suggestion has already been discussed at length by a Committee of Secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India, wherein, it was recommended to maintain status quo on restriction of nighttime traffic through Bandipur Tiger Reserve and strengthen the alternative route already available for nighttime traffic.” “Further, I take this opportunity to inform you that by following the Principle of Avoidance, Core/Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH) need to be kept in view for long-term sustenance of ecology of the area,” he added. Currently, only a limited number of government-run buses and emergency vehicles are allowed to operate during the restricted period of 9 pm to 6 am on the stretch. During this period motorists take an alternative route via Hunsur-Gonikoppal-Kutta-Mananthavady Road, which is around 30 km longer. While the plan of the elevated corridor was suggested by the union government through the National Highway Authority for the Bharatmala project, it withdrew the proposal after inter-ministerial discussions and Supreme Court orders. The Kerala CM had written to Javadekar offering to fund half the project soon after the SC verdict on night traffic, stating that it will prove beneficial to residents of Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Pinarayi who had met the central minister again on Tuesday said that the Centre has agreed to form an expert committee to study the night ban. Read: Night traffic ban in Bandipur Tiger Reserve to stay: Centre to Pinarayi Vijayan  

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Does telehealth save money? The jury’s still out.

In a recent assessment of a telehealth-related bill, the Congressional Budget Office concluded that covering the technology sometimes increases and sometimes reduces spending.

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Isolated heavy rainfall expected in Bengaluru and parts of Karnataka in next 4 days

Weather

Other than Bengaluru, rains have been forecasted for entire south interior Karnataka and parts of north interior Karnataka.

Soumya Chatterjee

Heavy rainfall over isolated places is likely over Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru, Ramanagara and Shivamogga districts of south interior Karnataka,  the Karnataka State Emergency Operation Centre said. Officials predict that isolated places will receive over 65 mm rainfall over the next four days.  However, when asked about the possibility of flooding in Bengaluru, officials in the know said there is no immediate reason for concern, even though many areas have been waterlogged in the last few days due to rains. Incidentally, BBMP officials had to take the help of the fire department on Wednesday morning to drain out water in the third and seventh sectors of HSR Layout due to rains. According to rainfall data maintained by KSNDMC, Bengaluru Urban received only 24 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours.  The Meteorological department has said that Bengaluru will continue to have cloudy skies with rain.  In its long-range outlook on September 27, the IMD had said, “A cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood and extends up to 2.1 km above mean sea level. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to form over north Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood by tomorrow and is likely to become more marked during the subsequent 48 hours.”  Officials at the Karnataka State Disaster Monitoring Centre said that the rains will be fairly widespread, with moderate to heavy rains likely over districts in south interior Karnataka and parts of north interior Karnataka. Coastal and Malnad districts are likely to receive scattered to widespread light to moderate rains on Wednesday. Additionally, the Meteorological Centre in Bengaluru said that Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Dharwad, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Kolar, Shivamogga and Tumakuru were likely to see that thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate spells of rain and strong winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph or more. The rains are expected at a time when Karnataka is yet to get central aid for the floods that ravaged a major part of the state in August, killing more than 80 people and leaving thousands homeless.

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Bengaluru woman demands cab drivers should stop using alternative route to airport

Transport

The woman stated in her police complaint that an Ola driver refused to switch to the main road via NH 44 when he was dropping her home from the airport early on Monday morning.

Prajwal Bhat

Image for representation

At around 3:20 am on Monday morning, Shikha*, a working professional in Bengaluru, travelled in an Ola cab from the Bengaluru International Airport at 3 am. Around 10 mins into her journey, she realised that the cab driver had taken an alternative route to reach the city — the route via BK Halli-Bagalur instead of the traditional NH 44. "I immediately asked the driver to turn around and take the main road, NH 44, but he (the driver) dismissed my request saying that this was the correct route," recalls Shikha. Shikha had to force the driver to stop the car by pressing the emergency button. She was in an isolated area at the time and she asked the driver to call his supervisor. Eventually, she managed to call a friend who was also leaving from the airport around that time and hitched a ride. She claimed that despite pressing the emergency button, there was no help forthcoming from Ola.  Shikha filed a complaint at the Bengaluru Airport police station. However, an FIR was not registered. "Since there was no offence, in this case, we have not registered an FIR," a police official told TNM. Why drivers choose the alternate route The incident once again raises questions about the safety of women travelling alone to and from the airport at night, particularly on the alternative route sometimes used by cab drivers.  Often, cab drivers choose to take the alternate route not only because it is faster to reach the airport from areas like Whitefield, but it also helps drivers avoid paying the toll on NH44.  Two months ago, a woman was murdered by a cab driver who tried to rob her on the way to the airport. Police officials said that the cab driver Nagesh had deviated from the main road and demanded money from Pooja Singh De, a model and event manager who was visiting the city. The cab driver attacked and murdered her before leaving her remains near the airport in Kaadayarappanahalli village. Read: Murder of Kolkata model in Bengaluru: Ola driver arrested for crime Police officials confirmed that they have received multiple complaints from women about cab drivers taking the alternative route to the Bengaluru airport. The complainants have cited a lack of street lights on the route and also pointed out that the route is mostly isolated and unused.  Speaking to TNM, Shikha said that she had read about the murder incident in July in the newspaper and believes that the alternative roads to the airport should not be allowed to be used by cab aggregators. She decided to file a complaint at the Bengaluru Airport police station to stress the need for measures to be taken to improve the safety of commuters in this stretch. "If my friend had not been there, I don't know what would have happened. I don't think that the road is safe for either men or women. It needs to be blocked, especially at night. So many people have reached out to me saying that drivers were occasionally taking the alternative route to the airport and that only on request, the drivers would switch to the main road," added Shikha.  Ola’s stand Reacting to the incident, an Ola spokesperson said, "Safety of customers is the top priority for us and we have taken several proactive measures in this regard. These include issuing regular advisories to driver-partners and customers, 24/7 helpline, Emergency Button and our unique Ola Guardian feature. We continue to add product updates that enhance safety measures on the platform and look forward to collaborating with the authorities to enable a safe and reliable mobility experience in our cities." However, the cab aggregator declined to comment on whether drivers will be blocked from taking the alternative route. TNM has reached out to Uber for comment. This article will be updated once a response is received.  *Name changed

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Bengaluru residents allege construction work in Cooke Town was putting them at risk

Civic

The builder however claimed that he was not doing anything illegal and was trying to build a basement.

Soumya Chatterjee

It was on July 10 that two buildings in Bengaluru’s Pulikeshi Nagar, a prime area in the city, collapsed, resulting in the death of at least four persons. The building collapse was blamed on illegal construction process in blatant violation of rules. Now, residents of nearby Macpherson Road in Cooke Town fear that their houses might suffer the same fate due to heavy drilling work done by a private builder in their neighbourhood. They allege the drilling and stone cutting is causing vibration in their buildings. Residents of the area complain that the heavy drilling work done by the landowner for the past one year has exposed them to stone dust and smoke from diesel engines, in their otherwise peaceful neighbourhood. One resident said, “We have been complaining to the BBMP officials but there is no reaction. We are worried about our own safety as this kind of heavy digging can affect our building as well. Will the authorities wake up only when a calamity strikes?” Unhappy with the reluctance of BBMP officials to probe the matter, the residents have approached central minister and Bengaluru North MP Sadananda Gowda seeking remedy. Upon receiving the complaint, the Union Minister has written to the City Police Commissioner and other authorities, asking them to resolve the matter. On the Minister’s suggestion, the residents also met Mining and Geology Department officials who have issued a notice to the land owner. Moreover, the residents are planning to approach the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board over the noise pollution. Recordings made by the residents using a mobile app indicate that the drilling work has caused noise levels to rise to as much as 78 decibels which is way above the permissible limit of 55 decibels. Another resident said, “We have been suffering for the past one year. The BBMP officials failed to turn up even when the Mining Department came for the investigation. We had earlier managed to stop the land owner from using gelatine sticks by approaching the police. But they have been continuing work with heavy machinery.” BBMP Commissioner BH Anil Kumar told TNM on Tuesday said that he will instruct officials to promptly carry out a spot check. On Wednesday, officials attached to Pulikeshi Nagar Police Station inspected the spot and stopped the work. However, the builder, Rafeeq denied the allegations and said there was never any plan to ue gelatin sticks. “We are not doing anything illegal and have all the necessary sanctions from the BBMP. We are digging to build a basement. There is no issue with the Mining Department as well. They have said that we have to pay royalty if we find precious stone or granite,” he said. 

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Bus priority lanes to be introduced in Bengaluru, but will it ease the traffic mess?

Transport

Deputy CM Laxman Savadi inspected the first such route, along with officials from various departments, on Wednesday.

Soumya Chatterjee

Picxy.com/sandeepm

In what could be the first proactive step by authorities in Bengaluru to solve the traffic problem, bus-priority lanes will be introduced in the city from November 1.  BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) Commissioner BH Anil Kumar said that a plan is being drawn up by the BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation), BBMP, Traffic Police and DULT (Directorate of Urban Land Transport) officials for several routes. A formal announcement by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is expected in the coming week.  Bus lanes are planned in the hope that buses which act as a mass transport system, get priority access over private transport especially two-wheelers and in the process motivate people to ditch their own vehicles. This in turn is expected to reduce overall congestion in the city.  An officer in the BMTC said that the first such lane(s) will be introduced on an 18.5km stretch between Tin Factory in KR Puram and Silk Board Junction.  For the same purpose, Deputy CM and Transport Minister Laxman Savadi inspected the route on Wednesday along with officials in a Volvo bus. Following the drive, he asked BBMP officials to prepare necessary bus shelters.  “We are ready to start the project as we have finalised how many buses we are going to run and will be ready to add more buses depending on the demand. BBMP officials are deciding on specifics related to stoppages and demarcations. We want two lanes in the entire stretch and we have also given BBMP, DULT officials details of how many buses we want to run and at what speed on this stretch. We want to see how the public responds but we are expecting more people to use buses as travel times will drastically decrease,” the official said. The move for bus priority lanes also comes at a time when the daily ridership of BMTC has steadily fallen over the years, from 51.3 lakh in 2014-15 to 36 lakh in 2018-19. At the same time, the length of cancelled routes increased almost 200% over 4 years, from 241.6 lakh km in 2013-14 to 717.9 lakh km in 2017-18. Sources in the Traffic Police Department told TNM that only vehicles with more than three passengers will be allowed in these lanes and violators will be penalised for violating lane discipline.  Not a new concept Incidentally, a decade ago, a similar plan was proposed by authorities between Central Silk Board and Hebbal, but the project never took off. Since then, citizen groups have demanded that these bus-only lanes be created wherever practically feasible along with other incentives for public transport. One city-based organisation, the Bangalore Bus Prayaanikara Vedike (BBPV), welcomed the decision but urged the authorities to examine the experiences of other cities. They said, “BBPV welcomes this initiative as it is an essential measure towards sustainable and equitable mobility in Bengaluru. Road space is a limited public resource. Bus-based public transport makes the most efficient use of road space for transporting people. BMTC still caters to 36 lakh trips in the city. However, a disproportionate share of the road space is occupied by lakhs of private vehicles, especially cars and two-wheelers on the road, which serves a much smaller share of trips.”  Experts want holistic planning While bus priority lanes can be a game-changer for the good, experts have warned that unless implemented through comprehensive planning, it might turn into a failure. Ashish Verma, a professor of Sustainable Transportation at the Indian Institute of Science, said, “This is a good idea but then again, it has to be designed properly. Otherwise, this would be like Delhi BRTS where it was done for a 7 km stretch and then taken off subsequently. The mistake most Indian cities have done is that they have seen this as an engineering intervention and have introduced it wherever there is availability of space. This will just be like shooting in the air.” Explaining that bus priority lanes are a system-level intervention, he said, “If there is one lane demarcated for buses which already has high bus volumes, then in actuality it might benefit the passing of other vehicles. Instead, there is a need to think about traffic flow patterns, how much impact this will have on travel times and also how this will induce more people to shift from their personal cars / two-wheeler usage.” Similarly, Pawan Mulukutla, an urban mobility expert based in Bengaluru, said, “Bus priority lanes should be planned keeping three prime factors in mind. First, it is to be checked if this helps in improvement of buses. Secondly, there are talks of an increase in speed but the question we have to ask is, does it ensure that this increases the capacity. Otherwise, there can be instances of having bus queues. So there is a necessity to put in place a system which not only increases the capacity of individual buses, but also the entire system.” He added, “Globally, the practice has been that it has to be carried out from the operational perspective in terms of servicing of the bus. So if we see this as an infrastructural project, then we will have many operational challenges.There are also issues of design that have to be kept in mind. Not all buses will go for the entire length of the corridor and buses also need to enter the corridor. There are also issues with alignment of bus stops as generally stops are on the left but at the beginning and end of flyovers, they are at the centre.”

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