Infrastructure

How hard it is to make a manhole cover that is LEVEL with the road? Not very hard, but no matter how many times this is pointed out, BWSSB never does this. I spent some time trying to figure this out, and learned three things. A. BWSSB assumes that BBMP will keep raising the level of the road each time tar is added, so, the drain cover will be eventually level for a brief period However, any further raise in the road makes cover sink, and that too is visible in many places. BBMP could easily mill each road's old…

Traffic rearrangement at Adugodi and Madiwala. Pic: BTP Facebook page The new one-way system around Madiwala market introduced by the traffic police in response to the growing challenges of mobility in the area shows how, when we don't have a macro plan, we end up making a series of small adjustments, maybe out of necessity, but not always connected to each other. Here is the link to the image showing the new plan.  Traffic rearrangement at Adugodi and Madiwala Bengaluru traffic police have introduced a one-way system in Madiwala and Adugodi traffic station limits to avoid the traffic congestion and…

Traffic rearrangement at Adugodi and Madiwala. Pic: BTP Facebook page The new one-way system around Madiwala market introduced by the traffic police in response to the growing challenges of mobility in the area shows how, when we don't have a macro plan, we end up making a series of small adjustments, maybe out of necessity, but not always connected to each other. Here is the link to the image showing the new plan.  Traffic rearrangement at Adugodi and Madiwala Bengaluru traffic police have introduced a one-way system in Madiwala and Adugodi traffic station limits to avoid the traffic congestion and…

I recently read that Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) may soon be taking over the bus stops from Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).   When bus stops and shelters seem to have so much of space to spare for advertisements, why is it not mandatory for every bus shelter to have the route numbers of the buses that stop there?  Why is this essential information missing?   Also, there are so many places (eg in Gandhi Bazar in Basavanagudi) where it is not even clear where the bus stop is. Hunting for one on my way back from the Basavanagudi…

I recently read that Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) may soon be taking over the bus stops from Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).   When bus stops and shelters seem to have so much of space to spare for advertisements, why is it not mandatory for every bus shelter to have the route numbers of the buses that stop there?  Why is this essential information missing?   Also, there are so many places (eg in Gandhi Bazar in Basavanagudi) where it is not even clear where the bus stop is. Hunting for one on my way back from the Basavanagudi…

Why are all the roads being dug up, without any apparent rhyme or reason/ The worst part of the digging is always the aftermath...the dug-up areas are left in mounds of dirt and earth, and pedestrians and traffic alike have to negotiate holes and mounds which can be very dangerous.   Why can we not enforce a rule whereby the name of the agency doing the digging, the purpose of the excacationn, and the contact no. of the contractor must be prominently displayed? The contractor must also be held accountable for the proper filling-in and paving of the dug-up area. …

Why are all the roads being dug up, without any apparent rhyme or reason/ The worst part of the digging is always the aftermath...the dug-up areas are left in mounds of dirt and earth, and pedestrians and traffic alike have to negotiate holes and mounds which can be very dangerous.   Why can we not enforce a rule whereby the name of the agency doing the digging, the purpose of the excacationn, and the contact no. of the contractor must be prominently displayed? The contractor must also be held accountable for the proper filling-in and paving of the dug-up area. …

World water day at Rainbow Drive layout, March 22nd  Is there any other better way to celebrate world water day than at Rainbow Drive (RBD) layout in Bengaluru? Rainbow Drive has been a pioneer in many good practices towards water sustainability, and this was one such occasion which provided an opportunity to celebrate that spirit of working towards water self-sufficiency. The involvement of the young generation in taking photographs and developing a movie on the good practices followed in the community, the residents themselves talking about the current practices and interventions around solid waste management, recharge wells, rainwater harvesting, etc. made…

World water day at Rainbow Drive layout, March 22nd  Is there any other better way to celebrate world water day than at Rainbow Drive (RBD) layout in Bengaluru? Rainbow Drive has been a pioneer in many good practices towards water sustainability, and this was one such occasion which provided an opportunity to celebrate that spirit of working towards water self-sufficiency. The involvement of the young generation in taking photographs and developing a movie on the good practices followed in the community, the residents themselves talking about the current practices and interventions around solid waste management, recharge wells, rainwater harvesting, etc. made…

It started with a few shopkeepers giving customers change in the form of boiled sweets or toffees; but now it seems to have developed into a form of payment! At most toll roads. Toll collectors don't even bother to give change, but hand over the receipt for the toll, with some cellophane-wrapped candy. They actually act affronted when one tells them that one will not accept this as change, and grudgingly part with the change in coins, which,obviously, they had all along.  Every "toffee" or candy may represent one rupee, but the customer is being shortchanged, because these sweets have…