Part of Bengaluru’s pop-up cycle lane in ORR opens for cyclists

Transport

While 3 km stretch of the pop-up cycle lane in KR Puram side is ready, officials said that the full stretch will be ready by the end of November.

TNM Staff

Nihar Thakkar/ Twitter

To the joy of cyclists in Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road area, parts of the proposed pop-up cycle lane between Silk Board junction and Lowry Memorial College near KR Puram are open. ‘Pop up’ cycle lanes are a quick infrastructure intervention that involves setting up semi-permanent barricades to make space for cyclists. Cities across the world have been building them since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The cycle lane makes riding so stress-free! pic.twitter.com/sLA3hg2kB8 — Nihar Thakkar (@nihart1024) October 6, 2020 Officials say that the full work of the 16 kilometre-long pop-up cycle lane will be ready by the end of November. “We have already finished 3 km from KR Puram side, and we will quickly finish up the work as setting up the barricades is the only work left. All the other time-consuming work, including as marking and the road undulations, have been done,” an official working in the project told TNM. Pop-up cycle lanes are set up to encourage more people to use bicycles to commute and reduce motorised vehicle usage. As more people take to cycling, the pop-up cycling lanes can be converted into permanent lanes. This comes at a time when many are scared to use public transport, given the risks of disease transmission. In order to make safe space for cyclists in Bengaluru, the city authorities will be setting up pop-up cycle lanes in other parts of the city as well.  These pop-up cycle lanes are in addition to those being set up as part of the Smart Cities project in Central Business District areas. While the Directorate of Urban Land Transport or DULT (a government department under the Urban Development Department) is designing the lanes, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is executing the project. “Parts of the stretch will not have barricades due to the ongoing metro work. Some of the work may get delayed due to other on-going works by the BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) and we are reviewing the design at some places,” V Manjula, Commissioner, DULT, told TNM. At the same time, work is underway to finish setting up bus lanes for the entire Silk Board to KR Puram stretch of the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The bus lanes are also designed by DULT and executed by the BBMP. DULT is also holding a Sustainable Mobility Accords (SUMA) through which 10 shortlisted resident welfare associations (RWAs) or civil society organisations will be given up to Rs 50 lakh to start novel non-motorised mobility initiatives. The deadline for SUMA is October 15.

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Tourists going to Coorg need COVID-19 negative certificate

Coronavirus

Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar has said that guests who do not have the report will not be allowed to check in.

TNM Staff

Tourists heading to resorts, hotels and homestays in Kodagu must produce a negative COVID-19 report, officials said this week. Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar has directed Kogadu Deputy Commissioner Annies K Joy to carry out the order with immediate effect. The COVID-19 certificate must be obtained 76 hours prior to check-in. The minister reportedly said that guests who do not have the report will not be allowed to check in. Sudhakar made the announcement at Tuesday’s review meeting. The Medical Education Minister said that the district administration will decide on the implementation of the same and that an advisory for the whole state could be issued shortly. Authorities have been directed to lower the fatality rate from 1.5% to below 1%, as well as to reduce the positivity rate from 16% to 5%, according to reports. Sudhakar ordered for 500 to 600 samples to be tested per day and for testing labs to function 24x7, TNIE reports. The Karnataka government has also issued guidelines to prevent large gatherings during festival season in the state, as Diwali and Dussehra approaches. "As festivities during October-December draw large gatherings of people in public places for religious worship, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions and processions, preventive measures have to be taken to contain the virus spread," according to the statement. Kodagu has recorded a total of over 3,000 coronavirus cases, with 45 deaths. About 2469 patients have recovered from the disease. Meanwhile, Karnataka on Tuesday reported 9,993 new cases of COVID-19 and 91 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 6,57,705 and the death toll to 9,461. The day also saw the number of recoveries overtaking new positive cases, with 10,228 patients getting discharged.

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Bengaluru sees record 5012 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday

Coronavirus

Karnataka recorded 9,993 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.

TNM Staff

Over half of Karnataka’s COVID-19 cases on Tuesday were from Bengaluru, with the capital city an all-time high of 5,012 daily cases to its tally. As on Tuesday, Bengaluru has 55,736 active cases in the city. The number of containment zones in the city remained unchanged at 18. Cumulatively, the city has seen 2,57,241 COVID-19 cases, of which 1,98,369 have recovered and 3,136 have died. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s bulletin showed that in the last ten days, the West Zone recorded the most number of cases, with 18% of all cases. Dasarahalli recorded the least at 5%. The city has a positivity rate of 13.69%. Karnataka on Tuesday reported 9,993 new cases of COVID-19 and 91 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 6,57,705 and the death toll to 9,461. The day also saw the number of recoveries overtaking new positive cases, with 10,228 patients getting discharged. As of October 6 evening, cumulatively 6,57,705 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 9,461 deaths and 5,33,074 discharges, the state health department said in its bulletin. It said, out of 1,15,151 active cases, 1,14,303 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 848 are in ICU. As many as 34 out of total 91 deaths reported on Tuesday were from Bengaluru Urban, followed by Mysuru (13), Belagavi and Dakshina Kannada (7), Ballari and Kolar (4), Tumakuru and Udupi (3), Dharwad, Hassan, Haveri, Koppala and Ramanagara (2), and Gadag, Kalaburagi, Mandya, Raichur, Shivamogga and Vijayapura (1). Most of the dead were either with a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI). Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 5,012, followed bt Tumakuru (475), Mysuru (373), Chitradurga (332), Davangere (279), Dakshina Kannada (272), Ballari (253), Hassan (235), Shivamogga and Udupi (224) and others. Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 2,57,241 infections, followed by Mysuru (38,611) and Ballari (33,257). Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with total 1,98,369, followed by Mysuru (30,377) and Ballari (30,030). A total of over 54,19,954 samples have been tested so far, out of which 92,491 were tested on Tuesday alone, and 48,035 among them were rapid antigen tests.

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Won’t reopen schools for now: Karnataka Medical Education Min Sudhakar

Education

Experts in the Technical Advisory Committee said many of them are not amenable to the idea of reopening schools.

Theja Ram

Representation photo

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Tuesday said that experts have advised against reopening schools in October. “Currently, the number of cases is high in the state but the recovery rate is also high. Considering that children are likely to get infected if schools reopen when cases are at its peak, experts have advised against the reopening schools and we will not allow schools to open at least in October,” Dr K Sudhakar said. Speaking to TNM, a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for COVID-19 said that in Tuesday’s meeting with the Health Department officials, several doctors expressed apprehension over reopening schools.  “We know the situation. Doctors, especially paediatricians are seeing two or three cases of children getting COVID-19 (referring to each paediatrician on COVID-19 duty). We fear this may increase if schools reopen. We fear there may be a shortage of resources to treat children,” the expert told TNM.  Stating that the standard operating procedure issued by the Union government is comprehensive, the expert said that reopening schools would inadvertently result in children turning positive for coronavirus and this is likely to create panic among parents.  “The academic year is almost coming to an end considering the Deepavali, Dasara and Christmas holidays. Some experts say it is better to pass all students for this year. But we have to think about Class 10 students as many in government schools have not even had classes. This is something that the committee should still decide on,” the expert added.  Sources in the Primary and Secondary Education Department said that they are mulling over reopening schools only for students from Classes 9 to 12 as it would be easier to ensure they follow physical distancing. “Even private schools want this. We should see how parents take to this. The biggest concern is regarding SSLC students and we have to come up with a way to ensure they are able to perform well in board exams. But this too, we will decide once experts give us their report,” the source said. 

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Karnataka govt issues guidelines for festivals to curb spread of coronavirus

Coronavirus

The guidelines were issued as Dasara, Deepavali and Christmas celebrations near.

IANS

Representation photo

Ahead of the festive season, the Karnataka government on Tuesday issued guidelines in the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the coronavirus spread. "As festivities during October-December draw large gatherings of people in public places for religious worship, fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions and processions, preventive measures have to be taken to contain the virus spread," said the ministry in a statement here. Senior citizens above 65 years of age, people with comorbidities, pregnant women and children less than 10 years are advised to stay at home. "Organisers of fairs, rallies, exhibitions, cultural functions, processions and plays/concerts associated with the fests have to ensure thermal screening of participants, physical distancing and sanitisation," said the statement. "Events that last for days or weeks like exhibitions, fairs, puja pandals, Ramlila pandals or concerts and plays should ensure a cap on the number of participants with staggered timings and restricted entry. Guidelines issued for theatre and cinema artists will also apply to stage performers. "Organisers have to ensure sanitisers, thermal guns and physical distancing floor markings to prevent the infection," said the statement. In rallies and immersion processions, limited people should be allowed to participate to maintain social distancing and wearing of a mask is compulsory. "Close circuit cameras to be installed to monitor compliance of physical distance norms and wearing of masks at each venue," said the statement. Individuals must maintain six feet in public places and wear a mask all the time. "Respiratory etiquettes like covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing with a tissue or kerchief and disposing off them have to be observed. Spitting is prohibited in any place," noted the statement. Festive events will be allowed only outside containment zones and people living in zones will not be permitted to visit the religious functions. "Event organisers can make provisions for contact less payment," added the statement. In religious places, touching statues, idols and holy books is banned. Recorded devotional music/songs be played to avoid choir or singing groups. Community kitchens at event venues should follow physical distancing norms while preparing and distributing food.

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BJP divided over candidature for RR Nagar bye-elections

Politics

While the former Congress MLA Munirathna, who defected to the BJP is hoping for a ticket, the party is reluctant to offer him one.

Theja Ram

As the last date for filing nominations for the bye-polls is near, former Rajarajeshwari Nagar MLA Munirathna Naidu, who is now with the BJP, is allegedly unhappy about his predicament. Munirathna, who was promised a chance to contest bye-polls and a ministerial berth, is unhappy as the BJP is backtracking on giving him a ticket. Munirathna was one among the 17 legislators, who defected to the BJP after resigning from the Congress-JD(S) coalition in 2018.  The BJP’s state unit sent a list of two names as options for the RR Nagar candidate. Munirathna, who was confident about being chosen as the candidate, has faced a setback as he is the party’s second choice. The BJP state President Nalin Kumar Kateel has rather thrown his weight behind Muniraju Gowda, who was the party’s candidate in the 2018 Assembly elections.  The setback for Munirathna comes as the two warring factions within the BJP have been indulging in a game of one-upmanship. Besides, Munirathna and Muniraju have been archrivals in the region for years now. both have been involved in a lengthy legal battle after Muniraju accused Munirathna of voter fraud. Based on a complaint filed by Muniraju in 2018, the police and Election Commission officials had raided an office belonging to Munirathna and recovered fake voter IDs. Despite this, Munirathna had won the elections.  A powerful figure in the RR Nagar constituency, the BJP leaders in the region were his rivals. “Now to give him a ticket is not acceptable. The party should give the chance to honest party workers instead of those who try to get tickets the easy way,” a senior BJP leader said.  Sources said that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is trying to get the ticket for Munirathna while BJP National General Secretary (Organisation), BL Santhosh is backing Muniraju Gowda.  Sources in the Congress said that Munirathna has approached his former mentor Siddaramaiah, hoping to rejoin the Congress party. However, the Congress has informed Munirathna that he would not be given a ticket as the party leaders in Karnataka want Kusuma Ravi to contest the bye-polls.  “DK Shivakumar is against Munirathna rejoining. Even if he joins the party, he won’t be given a ticket for sure. We had warned him that the BJP would go back on its word if he left. Now he has to pay for it,” a Congress MLA said. 

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Sandalwood drug case: Bengaluru cops raid ex don Muthappa Rai’s son’s house

Crime

CCB sources said that Ricky Rai was allegedly in touch with another accused Aditya Alav, who is absconding.

TNM Staff

Representation photo

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths on Tuesday raided several properties in Bengaluru and Bidadi belonging to Ricky Rai, son of the late Muthappa Rai in connection with the Sandalwood drug case. Muthappa Rai was once at the helm of the underworld in Bengaluru and had claimed to have reformed.  CCB sources told TNM that Ricky Rai’s name cropped up in the drug case as he had been in touch with Aditya Alva, Vivek Oberoi’s brother-in-law, who is currently absconding.  The CCB, which had procured call record details of Ricky Rai allegedly found that he had been in touch with Aditya Alva and other accused persons who are absconding in the case.  “We questioned him to find out if he played any role in Aditya Alva’s disappearance. Whether he aided Alva in escaping,” the CCB source said.  Investigators say that Ricky Rai allegedly attended parties hosted by Aditya Alva at his resort in Bengaluru’s Hebbal.  The CCB conducted search and seizure operations at various properties belonging to Ricky Rai across the state.  He was summoned for questioning for a few hours and was allowed to leave, a CCB official said. Police said that the raids were conducted at Rai's farmhouse in Bidadi in Ramanagara district and his house in Sadashivanagar in Bengaluru. The case pertains to drug use and distribution allegedly among bigwigs including Kannada film actors Ragini Dwivedi, Sanjjanaa Galrani, party promoter Viren Khanna and realtor Rahul Thonse. A few key accused in the case, including former minister late Jeevaraj Alva's son Aditya Alva are at large. So far, the CCB has electronic evidence against the actors. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is probing a money laundering case against the accused persons in the Sandalwood drug case. The ED sources said that the actors had assets worth more than they could have procured based on their income. The ED told the NDPS court in Bengaluru that it suspects the accused funnelled money procured by distribution of drugs. 

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