Bangalore Mélange: February 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Liquor shops oppose change in closing time

Business Standard

The ongoing debate in the state on allowing a section of liquor establishments to operate till very late in the night took an interesting turn on Wednesday with the Federation of Wine Merchants Association of Karnataka appealing to the government not to change the present business timings.

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Short-haul flyers shun new airport

ToI

Fears are coming true. The new Bengaluru International Airport appears to be putting off travellers flying on short-haul routes — those that have a flight time between 30 minutes and an hour.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Hyderabad, Bangalore airports to close after new ones come up

Commissioning of the new airports is pursuant to the provisions of the contractual agreements with the concerned airport companies," Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said while replying to a query.

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Karnataka to build Rs 200 cr stadium, aims to host Super Slam

Karnataka has proposed to build a Rs 200 crore "world class stadium" here to host the first 'Super Slam,' a combined men's and women's tennis event, by 2011-12 with prize money of over $5 million.

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Monday, February 25, 2008

Campaign against excessive honking

New Ind Express

IT is a traffic jam and not a single vehicle is moving. Yet, there are a few who insist on honking, as if it would help ease traffic. There are some others who are obsessed with honking even in silent zones.

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March of metal in the city soon

ToI

March promises to be a rocking month for Bangalore. Two of the biggest metal bands will perform with seven Indian groups at the ‘Rock n India’ music festival at Palace Grounds on March 14.

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Friday, February 22, 2008

Will it ease traffic or not?

Deccan Herald

The first underpass constructed using pre-cast elements at Cauvery junction was opened for traffic on Wednesday evening. Vehicles moving from BDA junction to Mekhri Circle took left turn at the junction and a U-turn at the underpass to reach Bellary Road.

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K’taka at crossroads, to undergo asymmetrical development

New Ind Express

Karnataka politics is at the crossroads with the President of India giving her assent to the delimitation of constituencies. While the caste equation, on which the politicians had played their game for the last over thirty years, is going to change, rural Karnataka will also stand to lose in the years to come.

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India Billionaire Mallya Isn't Showing Shareholders Everything

Bloomberg

``Where's my yacht? Has it come back from the Maldives?'' Mallya barks at his staff before leaving New Delhi. An employee confirms the 95-meter (312-foot) Indian Empress is berthed at Mumbai. ``Tell the captain I'm spending the night on it. I haven't slept in three days.''

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One lakh apartments may remain vacant in Bangalore by April

Hindu

Is Bangalore’s real estate market heading for a slump? Such is the impact of the real estate slowdown in Bangalore that the number of unoccupied apartments in and around the city is expected to touch nearly one lakh by April.

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A vague idea that led to ‘magic box’

Hindu

The idea of “instant underpass” got life from the memories of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner S. Subramanya’s visit to the U.K. 14 years ago.

It was a team of BBMP engineers and private consultants who gave shape to Commissioner’s “vague” idea and built “magic boxes” to ease traffic problems of the silicon city.

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Bangalore’s new airport gears up for Rs 2,500-cr expansion

Business Line

Even as the new Bengaluru International Airport is almost set for flight on March 30, its promoters are gearing up for round 2: expansion worth around Rs 2,500 crore over the next three years.

User development fee of Rs 675 for domestic departures and Rs 955 for international departures would stay, as per the concession agreement. The UDF would refinance the promoter investment.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Subir Roy: How to build 30 new Bangalores?

Business Standard

Even this will not be enough. Vivek Kulkarni, who as IT secretary of Karnataka unsuccessfully tried to craft a crescent of development on Bangalore’s periphery called the IT corridor, realised that 40 per cent of the area was already “hard”, built-up via plans sanctioned with the rigour of a small town municipality.

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One lakh apartments may remain vacant in Bangalore by April

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Radio Indigo, Black Dog bring Alain Brunet trio to perform in Bangalore

Indian Television

Black Dog, in association with Radio Indigo and Alliance Francaise, is bringing in the French Alain Brunet trio for what they claim to be "an evening of eclectic blend of experimental jazz."

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In Bangalore, say cheers beyond curfew time

DNA

The pub capital of India is set to return to its glory days as the deadline on bar and pub timings may be extended beyond midnight. A proposal mooted by the Karnataka tourism department with the recommendation of the police is awaiting the government’s nod.

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State in no mood to amend rules

ToI

Thanks to President's rule and the negative campaign of live bands, the state is in no mood to relax the 2005 police order and help out the whole lot — bars, discotheques and live bands. Live bands have given the government a ready excuse to persist with the status quo on dance rules.

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Monday, February 18, 2008

Govt plans panel to assess fund needs for urban infrastructure

Live Mint

The Union ministry of urban development is planning to set up a committee to estimate the investments needed for urban infrastructure in the country, even as flow of grants from its flagship Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme for infrastructure development continues to accelerate.

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Road to airport: No place to walk

Deccan Herald

Would you like to know where the pedestrian stands in BBMPs grandiose scheme of things for the Devanahalli international airport? Have no illusions, they dont even appear to exist for the civic body.

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BBMP sees big money in LCD hoardings

Hindu

Bangaloreans will have a taste of more and more giant LCD hoardings all set be installed on several arterial roads with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) deciding to opt for such commercial screenings given the enthusiastic response from advertising companies, including one run by the Reliance Group of Anil Ambani.

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All choked up over rapid growth

The Star

The new airport in Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka and India’s Silicon Valley, is to be inaugurated later next month. It too suffered from delays, disputes of various kinds, design hassles and, of course, cost overruns before it could be fully built.

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Dusk-to-dawn fest is back

Hindu

A jugalbandi between modern and traditional music will take place at the open-air amphitheatre at the Fireflies Inter-Cultural Centre when its annual music festival gets under way at Dinnepalya off Kanakapura Road at 6 p.m. on February 23.

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Underpass is ready

Hindu

The countdown has begun for the inauguration of the underpass at Cauvery junction with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike completing the first stage of asphalting work on Sunday night. The final stage of asphalting work will be completed by Monday morning, said Chief Engineer (Major Roads) K.S. Krishna Reddy.

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Sunday, February 17, 2008

Dancing ban: Blame it on live bands

TOI

It was the dog-in-the-manger attitude of live bands that triggered the virtual ban on dancing in Bangalore.

Once they figured out that the December 2005 police order —- requiring establishments which serve drinks and have dance floors to apply for a fresh licence — was meant to weed them out, they decided to target discotheques, bars and other dance floors who survived the order.

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Will police dance to the tunes of live bands?

New Ind Express

With the live band association threatening to rope in eunuchs if their demand for renewal of licences is not met, the city police are now in a tight spot.

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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Bangaloreans want dance floor back

TOI

Where’s the party, tonight? Certainly not on the dance floors of Bangalore’s discotheques and hotels, thanks to the administration which has cracked the whip on them. Overworked and entertainment-starved Bangaloreans are vociferous in their criticism against the government for infringing upon their right to shake a leg if they chose to. Says Tanya Bhat, "TOI should organize a protest near Gandhi Statue on MG Road. Let’s hold up traffic, dance in the streets and call attention to this ridiculous ban."

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Trial run at new underpass

Hindu

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Friday allowed motor vehicles to move through the new underpass at Cauvery Junction for about 20 minutes on trial basis.

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‘Sly note’: Rs. 30,000-cr. land for NICE

Hindu

The State Government on Friday disclosed to the Karnataka High Court that manipulation by way of a “note”, reportedly by the then Public Works Department (PWD) Secretary, had resulted in unreasonable concessions to the company implementing the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project. However, no date has been mentioned in the note.

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South India’s road to future may soon be completed

CNBC TV18

After 13 years, work is speeding up on the road connecting Bangalore and Mysore, popularly known as the Bangalore Mysore infrastructure corridor or BMIC. The road will cut the driving time from the three and half hours to just 90 minutes.

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Friday, February 15, 2008

BMTC Services To Bengaluru International Airport

Praja Bangalore

The BMTC has released the fares of the soon to be introduced ‘Airport Bus Service’ to BIAL, connecting the airport from eight locations of the city. These buses will be numbered as BIAL 1 to 7 for the first seven routes that are expected to hit the roads in the last week of March.

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It's COPS vs CUPID

Deccan Herald

The Valentine's Day this year is set to be a damp squib with no major events taking place in the City in the light of ban on dancing and unreasonable deadlines imposed by the State government.

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NHAI assesses road alignment

Deccan Herald

The process of handing over the proposed expressway between Outer Ring Road and the international airport in Devanahalli to the National Highways Authority of India has entered the next phase, with officials of the NHAI assessing the alignment of the road.

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Deccan chief blames Government for closure of HAL airport

Hindu

The Government has to be blamed for the closure of HAL airport when the international airport at Devanahalli becomes operational by March-end, G.R. Gopinath, Executive Chairman of Deccan, said here on Thursday.

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HC adjourns plea to retain HAL airport

Hindu

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday adjourned a petition by an advocate from Bangalore against the proposed closure of the HAL airport from March 28/29.

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BMRC can prune trees on CMH Road: Court

New Ind Express

On Tuesday, the High Court declared that BMRCL can prune trees on CMH road, but cannot cut, chop or uproot any tree.

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People are not fools: BKC tells Palike

New Ind. Express

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike should not take up any more �instant� underpasses in the near future and wait and see how the one near Cauvery Junction works, said Chairman of Legislative Council B K Chandrashekar.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

3 elevated corridors for Bangalore

TOI

For the traffic-weary, here is some cheering news. To reduce traffic congestion and travel time in Bangalore, the authorities have planned to build three elevated high-density corridors (road-over-roads) stretching 21 km. But wait. The much-hyped Rs 800-crore tunnel road proposed between Minsk Square and Hebbal flyover may give way to one corridor.

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It’s a Big, Big World

Tech, MIT

Near the end of my six weeks in Bangalore, I was seriously craving American food. Masala dosas, curries, rice, vegetables, and limited amounts of chicken created a healthy diet, but at times I desired a big, juicy burger.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Major demolition work for metro rail project today

Hindu

The first major demolition of nearly 20,000 square feet will be undertaken on Monday in the Ulsoor area, to pave way for the prestigious Bangalore Metro Rail. As the State Government owns the property, there is unlikely to be any resistance to the demolition work. However, it could attract attention as some of the latest demolition machinery will be used for the first time in the State.

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A fillip to original Indian Metal compositions

Hindu

Palace Grounds, Bangalore, has been witness to very many firsts — from the first Iron Maiden concert to the upcoming Megadeth show in March — “rock heads” in the city have ensured that it sits firm on the rock roadmap.

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Grounded at the word go

Live Mint

So, a few weeks in advance, here’s a greeting to Bangalore’s air travellers: Welcome to the most underdesigned, underconnected, woeful piece of infrastructure that is the face of new India to the world. Maybe we can harness a new source of renewable energy in India: “angry citizen energy”. It’s available in plenty, and being replenished every day by our governments.

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Govt plans Delhi model for stations` upgrade

Business Standard

After inviting private companies to modernise New Delhi railway station in partnership with the public sector, the Ministry of Railways plans to soon implement this strategy for other major railway stations like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Patna, besides some smaller stations in an around Delhi like Bijwasan and Kapashera.

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Bangalore slams airport plan, airs worries instead

CNN IBN

India’s IT city is all set get its first international Airport but Bangloreans don't seem to be too excited.

With the first flight set to take off on the March 30, many Bangaloreans feel there is a long way to go before the airport becomes a hit.

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Bangalore to become Wine capital of India

Mangalorean

The Grapes Mela organised by the Horticultural Producers Co-operative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) has promised much more than just grapes. If things go right for the growers, Bangalore will become one day in the near future a destination for winery and vineyards.

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Bangalore International airport gets state of the art equipments from Austria

Mangalorean

With the State of the Art Airport Rescue & Firefighting Vehicles arrival at the New Bengaluru International Airport, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) is now working towards the operational readiness of the new airport which will open for commercial operation on March 30th 2008.

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Remaking Mumbai

Time

There's not much that the inhabitants of Dharavi can't recycle. Every day thousands of workers in India's most crowded slum--600,000 people squeezed into 500 acres (200 hectares) in the heart of Mumbai--shred plastic, mend clothes, strip computers, sort and bundle paper, fix machinery, flatten cardboard and clean and crush glass. The level of specialization is extraordinary.

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Ethanol content in petrol to double by this October

Bangalore (PTI): The government on Friday said it would double the ethanol content to be mixed with petrol to 10 per cent by this October to reduce the country's dependence on oil exports.

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Rail corridor study to be completed soon

Business Standard

The Centre has initiated a feasibility study on the proposed Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor. The feasibility study report is expected to be out soon.

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Study initiated on Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai corridor

Economic Times

A study had been initiated to check out the feasibility of setting up a Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor, according to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath.

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Friday, February 8, 2008

Stop the senseless Bangalore renaming !

Mutiny.in

What’s in a name? A lot apparently if the spate of Indian city renamings in recent years is any indication: Trivandrum, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Bangalore have been renamed and many more proposed: Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Patna to name a few. Not just happy with the cities, many anglicized names of localities, sub localities and streets have fallen prey to this senseless and futile exercise. I have been holding back my pen for a while now for fear of being branded querulous.

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Hotel projects still on ground

DH

If you thought poor road connectivity would be the biggest nightmare for passengers at the Bengaluru International Airport, think again...

For, there are even bigger ones awaiting them when the new airport starts its operation in March last week.
One such nightmare which a majority of the passengers are sure to encounter relates to the accommodation facilities.

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Govt may make connectivity part of airport projects

Business Standard

The idea of making connectivity a part of airport projects is being examined by the government in the light of the experience of Hyderabad and Bangalore airports — both of which will be ready way before the access roads to them are in place.

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BMTC to hire retired cops

TOI

Policing at 60? Well, that's the BMTC way. With the increasing traffic and commuter problems plaguing the transport corporation, the BMTC has decided to hire retired police officials.

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Thursday, February 7, 2008

Bangalore: Pollution levels at all time high

Rediff

Once upon a time, walkers in the famous Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh used to enjoy the fresh air during their walks. Today, a majority of them are forced to wear pollution masks during their morning and evening walks.

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After March, it’s mayhem in Bangalore!

MSN

Imagine travelling for two hours to the airport to catch a 30-minute flight. Or, driving to Chennai in lesser time than getting to the airport and boarding a flight. Well, this could be the grim scenario once the new Bangalore international airport takes over the civilian operations from HAL airport on March 30.

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It’s Time We Stood Up! A Unique Leadership March to Awaken Bangalore.

On the 10th February, Sunday, you could either watch a movie in the cosiness of your home, shop at the comfort of a mall or you could stand up and lead. If you even care the least for Bangalore, then come out and join this symbolic and historic leadership march along with us. Declaring that it is our city and we would build it together.

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Rs 60 cr till Jan: BBMP hits jackpot with ad revenue

Deccan Herald

BBMP's revenue through advertisements this financial year is breaking all records. The over Rs 60 crore earned up to January-end is a six-fold increase over its revenue earned during the previous financial year and the figure is expected to increase further by March-end.

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Environment institute for Bangalore soon

Hindu

Bangalore will soon be home to the National Institute of Environment and Hazardous Materials Management. It was inaugurated at a two-day national seminar here on Monday by M.V. Rajashekaran. Union Minister of State for Planning and Member Planning Commission.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Live bands set to sizzle in Bangalore again

DNA

The Beats, a pub on Bangalore’s famous Brigade Road, could soon sizzle with a bunch of women in colourful clothes, mostly from Mumbai and West Bengal, dancing and singing to entertain customers. So could the other over 120 restaurants and bars in the city.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Rs 30,000 cr to revamp Bangalore transport

Projects Monitor

The Karnataka government has presented to Centre its comprehensive traffic and transportation plan for Bangalore, taking into account the city's projected growth by 2025. With an eye on Central funding, the government has initiated talks with the urban development ministry for developing traffic and transport infrastructure.

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ITC: Wealth from waste project in more areas

Deccan Herald

Residents of about 2.5 lakh houses in Hyderabad do not throw away dry waste. They make money out of it. ITC Limited in collaboration with the residents’ associations has started purchasing dry waste (recyclable) from house holds in Hyderabad. The company is all set to extend the programme to Bangalore City.

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Stop tree cutting, HC tells BMRCL

Deccan Herald

The Karnataka High Court has restrained Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from cutting trees on CMH Road till February 14.

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B One to open 20 new centres shortly

New Indian Express

Bangalore One, the integrated citizen service centre, is expected to open 20 more centres in the next two weeks in the city limits. The new centres will be smaller than the usual Bangalore One centres which has 8-10 counters.

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B’lore among most polluted cities

New Indian Express

Bangalore is one of the most polluted cities in India. Thanks to increasing levels of vehicular pollution, unscientific ways of solid waste management and a large number of industries, it can no longer be called a Garden City.

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GAIL proposes extending Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline to Goa

Business Line

GAIL (India) Ltd has proposed extending its planned Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline to Goa to meet the fuel needs of the country's hottest tourist destination. GAIL Chairman and Managing Director U D Choubey made a proposal for extending the Dabho l-Bangalore line to Goa during a meeting with the State Chief Minister Digambar Kamat here.

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Monday, February 4, 2008

Venus joins Serena in Bangalore Open

AFP

Six-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams will take part in the 600,000-dollar WTA Bangalore Open here next month, joining sister Serena in the draw, organisers announced on Monday.

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Alliance Française de Bangalore Calendar

Calendar Feb - April 2008

Following the pothole survival plan

Deccan Herald

"The times have changed my fellow potholes," the politically inclined, Po To Gowda got ready to embark on a longwinded speech, "I regret to inform you that this is no more the laidback city we hoped to live and multiply in. There is a new dangerous enemy who will target us soon. We need to be prepared."

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Is BMTC a killer vehicle?

Deccan Herald

The roads of the City have become death traps due to accidents is a well-known fact. Moreover, the BMTC buses which has a major role to play in these accidents and is responsible for the public wrath is not new either.

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Electronic fare meters for autorickshaws, taxis proposed

Hindu

The State Government is considering an amendment to the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules to make it mandatory for autorickshaws and taxis operating in eight city corporation limits, including Bangalore, to install electronic digital fare meters.

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BJP promises to make Bangalore top IT power

Hindu

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday promised to put Bangalore on the top of the IT world map if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was voted to power.

“Bangalore has the capacity to beat Silicon Valley in the U.S. We will do our best to achieve this if the NDA comes to power,” BJP national president Rajnath Singh told a press conference in Bangalore.

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Ring road project poses threat to Bangalore’s vital water source

Hindu

With the land within the ecologically sensitive Thippagondanahalli reservoir catchment area set to be acquired for the first phase of Peripheral Ring Road, the threat of irreparable damage to a vital water source for Bangalore city looms large.

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Sunday, February 3, 2008

’Bangalore must take lead in controlling greenhouse gases’

Hindu

It is time for Bangalore to take the lead in pollution control, particularly the Green House Gases (GHG). The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is the first pollution board in the country to release the GHG inventory for the State.

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Water seepage at underpass: Finally, BBMP finds solution

Deccan Herald

With the help of water management experts from Chennai the Palike has set up a well to collect ground water. The well will be connected to a chamber, being constructed at a distance of 100 metres from the underpass. The chamber is, in turn, connected to a drain on Bellary road.

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Underpass construction hits rock

New Indian Express

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) much talked about ‘instant’ underpass project near Cauvery Theatre junction has hit a ‘rock’, literally.

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Colonial calm

Business Standard

The Taj West End has kept the character of the city alive.

Hidden behind the noise and chaos that envelopes the city of Bangalore today lies 20 acres of sheer calm and splendour that brings back memories of a city that was once known for its greenery.

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New Reva plant at Bangalore for electric cars

DNA

Bangalore-based electric car maker Reva has built a new 33,000 capacity plant in Bommasandra, Bangalore, to meet the increased demand in foreign markets and gain a foothold in the Maharashtra market.

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Bangalore's GDP zooms past other metros

CNBC TV18

You may be stuck in traffic but Bangalore is not. Bangalore is the fastest metro. No we are not looking at the speedometer of your car. We are talking about economic growth.

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Friday, February 1, 2008

Bangalore Happenings

Live Mint

Dance and Music festival
1-7 February
The Indiranagar Sangeet Sabha is organizing the annual Dance and Music festival as a tribute to saints Purandara Dasa and Thyagaraja. The series of concerts, spread over seven days, will feature leading artists from across the country. The festival will begin on 1 February at 6pm with a violin duet by Mysore M. Nagaraj and Dr M. Manjunath.

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Oasis Centre now for Bangalore

Fibre 2 Fashion

Landmark Group, a foremost retail conglomerate in the Middle East and India, launched the first Oasis Centre in the country at Bangalore.

Combining 4 Levels of International Shopping experience (Lifestyle and SPAR) including the best International brands, fine dining (Polynation) and an entertainment zone (Fun City) under one roof, Oasis Centre will provide an all-round family leisure and shopping experience to the residents of Bangalore.

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Bangalore to have women cabbies

Khaleej Times

Women chauffeurs are all set to hit the roads in Bangalore. A private cab company will introduce metered taxis steered by women soon. The company will launch the taxi service possibly next month.

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HAL airport to be a mall?

Times of India

Bangalore's HAL airport may well go on to become a premier shopping destination. After the closure of the airport in April, the arrival and departure lounges may be converted into a mega retail mall with multiplexes along with a five-star hotel, and a convention centre.

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