Governance

I was travelling back from Delhi when I saw a young man, also boarding for the same flight, who had an interesting looking trophy with him: I said hello to him, congratulated him because he had obviously won something, and asked what it was about. "This is the trophy that Karnataka won this year, for the best float in the Republic Day Parade," he replied. "We've won it a few times in the past, and if we win three years running, the rolling trophy will become ours." Having, rather uncharacteristically, missed watching the Republic Day Parade this year as I…

I was travelling back from Delhi when I saw a young man, also boarding for the same flight, who had an interesting looking trophy with him: I said hello to him, congratulated him because he had obviously won something, and asked what it was about. "This is the trophy that Karnataka won this year, for the best float in the Republic Day Parade," he replied. "We've won it a few times in the past, and if we win three years running, the rolling trophy will become ours." Having, rather uncharacteristically, missed watching the Republic Day Parade this year as I…

A new firestation has come up on Sarjapur Road opposite Kaikondrahalli Lake. The firestation has been built by CREDAI, in a Public-private partnership (PPP) model, on government land of about an acre. B K Hampagol, Deputy Director (Technical), Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services says his department did not have to spend any money. Firestation on Sarjapur Road. Pic: Meera K. Two fire engines and about 14 firemen, will be stationed here initially. The department plans to purchase more vehicles in the future and station more personnel.The firestation has been ready from late last year but could not be inauguration due…

A new firestation has come up on Sarjapur Road opposite Kaikondrahalli Lake. The firestation has been built by CREDAI, in a Public-private partnership (PPP) model, on government land of about an acre. B K Hampagol, Deputy Director (Technical), Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services says his department did not have to spend any money. Firestation on Sarjapur Road. Pic: Meera K. Two fire engines and about 14 firemen, will be stationed here initially. The department plans to purchase more vehicles in the future and station more personnel.The firestation has been ready from late last year but could not be inauguration due…

Praveen Sood, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) talked recently about effective traffic management.Given that only about 1% of the total traffic violations are actually ever fined and the traffic police department is just 2500 strong, what is the way forward? Sood has mentioned (The Hindu, January 31) how about 40% of road space is taken up by parking mostly unauthorised. Earlier at the Jayanagar meeting, Sood talked about active Residents' Welfare Associations can replicate the Brigade Road parking model and charge vehicles for parking. They can also help prevent illegal parking - Clamps, he said, can be bought by the…

Praveen Sood, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) talked recently about effective traffic management.Given that only about 1% of the total traffic violations are actually ever fined and the traffic police department is just 2500 strong, what is the way forward? Sood has mentioned (The Hindu, January 31) how about 40% of road space is taken up by parking mostly unauthorised. Earlier at the Jayanagar meeting, Sood talked about active Residents' Welfare Associations can replicate the Brigade Road parking model and charge vehicles for parking. They can also help prevent illegal parking - Clamps, he said, can be bought by the…

In response to the mugging incidents on the Outer ring road, the police have sent this information to the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA). Excerpts from the mail. With reference to recent mugging incidents that are reporting on Outer Ring Road, Marathalli, Sarjapur and Hosur Road. Kindly advise your employees What ever may be the case do not come out of their vehicle and raise alarm for help from car by switching on car alarm. Or advice them to insist for lodging complaint at the nearest traffic police station for the accident incident. Advice employees keep them local police…

In response to the mugging incidents on the Outer ring road, the police have sent this information to the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA). Excerpts from the mail. With reference to recent mugging incidents that are reporting on Outer Ring Road, Marathalli, Sarjapur and Hosur Road. Kindly advise your employees What ever may be the case do not come out of their vehicle and raise alarm for help from car by switching on car alarm. Or advice them to insist for lodging complaint at the nearest traffic police station for the accident incident. Advice employees keep them local police…

Sometime back, we noted that the government had renamed Karnataka’s Urban Development Department as The Great Bengaluru Land Scam Department. Since then, developments have spiralled further and deeper into the mysterious inner workings of our system, and behold: another name change is being announced at the fag end of the year.BBMP is being renamed U-TURN-MP on January 1st!Surprised? You should not be, actually. Here’s the evidence:After repeatedly insisting that a link road was a must through forestland in the prestigious University of Agricultural Sciences’ GKVK campus in north Bangalore and cutting over 680 trees in 2009, BBMP is now, at…

Sometime back, we noted that the government had renamed Karnataka’s Urban Development Department as The Great Bengaluru Land Scam Department. Since then, developments have spiralled further and deeper into the mysterious inner workings of our system, and behold: another name change is being announced at the fag end of the year.BBMP is being renamed U-TURN-MP on January 1st!Surprised? You should not be, actually. Here’s the evidence:After repeatedly insisting that a link road was a must through forestland in the prestigious University of Agricultural Sciences’ GKVK campus in north Bangalore and cutting over 680 trees in 2009, BBMP is now, at…