Infrastructure

Recently, I found that several of my older friends are unaware of their rights on Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).So I decided to clarify about this. Here is confirmation that BMTC offers discounts of 25% to Senior Citizens. .BMTC cites 60 years, though the Hindu report cites 65 years.   The fact, however, is that most conductors do not give the Senior Citizen discount unless one is aware of one's rights and asks for it. So...keep your id cards handy, and insist on your right if you are entitled to the discount.   Here's the extract from the BMTC charter:…

A well-functioning sewage treatment plant (STP) achieves two things – (1) it handles solid and liquid waste, which otherwise would pollute the earth, and enables its recycling (2) it is a source of usable water (effluent) and fertiliser (sludge). Unfortunately, the STP at Yelahanka New Town 5th Phase, achieves neither. Built by the BWSSB about 10 years ago, spread across 5 acres of land, the STP was supposed to treat about 3MLD. The treated water was to be let into Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake. However, despite huge investment, the STP has never been operated to treat sewage. Instead, the "Waste Water…

A well-functioning sewage treatment plant (STP) achieves two things – (1) it handles solid and liquid waste, which otherwise would pollute the earth, and enables its recycling (2) it is a source of usable water (effluent) and fertiliser (sludge). Unfortunately, the STP at Yelahanka New Town 5th Phase, achieves neither. Built by the BWSSB about 10 years ago, spread across 5 acres of land, the STP was supposed to treat about 3MLD. The treated water was to be let into Yelahanka Puttenahalli Lake. However, despite huge investment, the STP has never been operated to treat sewage. Instead, the "Waste Water…

The linking of a waste-water treatment plant, a wetland and lake ecosystem could be one method of keeping our lakes full and recharging our aquifers. Jakkur Lake in north Bangalore is one such live example. Steps that have been taken for its revival have seen positive results, which have been documented in Aajwanthi's thesis "Towards a water sensitive city: The story of Jakkur Lake" here. BIOME has planned a visit to Jakkur Lake. Date: Sunday, 6th April 2014Time: 9.00 a.m. Meeting point: Gate of the Jakkur Wastewater Treatment Plant (http://wikimapia.org/4129931/Jakkur-Lake-Paradise-for-Birds )  The tour includes- the waste-water treatment plant- the wetland - the lake-…

The linking of a waste-water treatment plant, a wetland and lake ecosystem could be one method of keeping our lakes full and recharging our aquifers. Jakkur Lake in north Bangalore is one such live example. Steps that have been taken for its revival have seen positive results, which have been documented in Aajwanthi's thesis "Towards a water sensitive city: The story of Jakkur Lake" here. BIOME has planned a visit to Jakkur Lake. Date: Sunday, 6th April 2014Time: 9.00 a.m. Meeting point: Gate of the Jakkur Wastewater Treatment Plant (http://wikimapia.org/4129931/Jakkur-Lake-Paradise-for-Birds )  The tour includes- the waste-water treatment plant- the wetland - the lake-…

Whitefield Rising is planning a big WATER issues related event. We would like to have your presence for the same.   The theme is as follows:   WOULD YOU LIKE TO Quit all dependence on tanker water. Collaborate with BWSSB to bring water to you. Infinitely self-sustain your water supply. Enjoy water with low contaminants. THEN YOU MUST ATTEND THE EVENT,  INKtalks Water, ON Saturday April 5 2014 AT JAGRITI Theater in Whitefield. We will start at 11 am sharp, so be in time to take your seats!    YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO Harvest rain. Re-charge your borewell so that it never runs…

Whitefield Rising is planning a big WATER issues related event. We would like to have your presence for the same.   The theme is as follows:   WOULD YOU LIKE TO Quit all dependence on tanker water. Collaborate with BWSSB to bring water to you. Infinitely self-sustain your water supply. Enjoy water with low contaminants. THEN YOU MUST ATTEND THE EVENT,  INKtalks Water, ON Saturday April 5 2014 AT JAGRITI Theater in Whitefield. We will start at 11 am sharp, so be in time to take your seats!    YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO Harvest rain. Re-charge your borewell so that it never runs…

It is quite common in Bengaluru for builders and developers to build houses on other people's lands, or on public lands like lakes. After all, the city used to have more than 500 lakes, and now has only 183. Therefore, we must conclude that the most common activity that occurs on lakes is construction !! It is also quite common in Bangalore for such things to happen with the full knowledge of the local ward engineer of the BBMP. In theory, this official is responsible for making sure that such encroachments don't happen, but in practice he is the one facilitating them…

It is quite common in Bengaluru for builders and developers to build houses on other people's lands, or on public lands like lakes. After all, the city used to have more than 500 lakes, and now has only 183. Therefore, we must conclude that the most common activity that occurs on lakes is construction !! It is also quite common in Bangalore for such things to happen with the full knowledge of the local ward engineer of the BBMP. In theory, this official is responsible for making sure that such encroachments don't happen, but in practice he is the one facilitating them…

Bangalore enters the summer with the flowering of the Pink Poui (Tababuia rosea)...you can see here about Tabebuia. Watch out for these blooms on many roads, and especially at the Jayanagar Shopping Complex!