Karnataka Bengaluru September 13, 14, 15 Highlights: State logs 1116 fresh covid cases, eight deaths

Leaders from across the political spectrum, former corporators and residents have demanded that polls to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) be held at the earliest.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to compulsorily test all students having Covid-19 symptoms for more than two days.

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport has launched a marketing campaign - '#TimetoReconnect' to inspire people to travel. 

The campaign focuses on reassuring passengers about safe airport experiences and encourages them to travel and reconnect with their loved ones, airport officials said in a release. 

"Since the pandemic began, people are missing the social interactions and connections they used to enjoy in the past. These include, connecting with their loved ones, impromptu getaways, pre-flight food indulgences, gift shopping and mini splurges, " Airport said.

A day after the Karnataka Health Department had sent samples of a 25-year-old lab technician of Dakshina Kannada to test for Nipah virus, the sample returned negative, much to the relief of the authorities.

Price hike of essential commodities resulted in a  heated debate between BJP and Congress after former chief minister Siddaramaiah termed it to be a 'criminal loot'.

Siddaramaiah said the prices of essential goods such as rice, pulses, petrol, diesel, and others have skyrocketed in few months. People are yet to come out of the losses they incurred during Covid19 and neither the centre nor state has made an effort to reduce prices.

Taking a dig at BJP, Siddaramaiah said that the Vajpayee who was MP from the Jana Sangh party attacked the Indira Gandhi government by calling the government criminal loot and attended parliament session by arriving in bullock carts. It all happened for the hike of Seven Paisa. Now, what words should I use for this government and I will use the same words (government's criminal loot), he said.

Karnataka today reported 1116 new covid cases taking the active toll to 15892, according to the media bulletin released by the state health department. While 970 recovered from covid, the state witnessed 8 cases of covid fatality. With 462 fresh cases, Bengaluru Urban recorded the highest number of covid cases among the districts followed by Dakshina Kannada (102) and Udupi (89) 

To encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport in Bengaluru city, the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) has issued a notification outlining the details of operating vehicles under programmes such as the Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) and the Shared Micro-Mobility System (SMMS). 

The DULT has released the notification with the expectation that the ongoing Namma Metro and suburban rail projects would spur residents to shift from private vehicles to public transport. According to DULT officials, a well-designed PBS and SMMS will provide a reliable first- and last-mile connectivity to commuters, thereby encouraging more people to shun private vehicles. Read More

In a bid to ensure safe commute to school-goers in Bengaluru, a web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) tool named Safer Access to Schools (SATS) has been launched in the city.

Wooing the Gems and Jewelry sector to make investments in Karnataka, Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani on Wednesday promised that the state government would give all the support and tax concessions. 

He made the announcement at the India International Jewelry Show (IIJS) Exhibition at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) here. The exhibition was virtually inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel.

Thanking the organisers for holding the ‘India International Jewelry Show (IIJS) Premiere 2021’ for the first time in Bengaluru, Nirani said Gems and Jewellery sector has a key role in achieving exports target. “I thank the organisers for holding this prestigious event in one of the most vibrant cities of the world ‘Bengaluru’. 

After dedicated bus priority lanes (BPL) in Bengaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad cities in Karnataka, the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) will soon implement the BPL project in Kalaburagi city in North Karnataka.

Two persons, including a 28-year-old woman, died after the two-wheeler they were on fell from the Electronic City flyover Tuesday night after a car hit the vehicle from behind. The duo had reached the city two days back to join work.

JD (S)  MLA, K Annadani has moved a calling attention motion in the Karnataka assembly for a separate VIP lane at all toll plazas in Karnataka.

Prices of petrol and diesel remained steady across the country for the tenth consecutive day on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The prices of the key auto fuels were last revised on September 5 when petrol and diesel prices were cut by 15 paise per litre each in the national capital.

In Bengaluru, petrol is priced at Rs. 104.70 per litre and diesel costs Rs. 94.04 per litre.

Every year on September 15, India along with Sri Lanka and Tanzania celebrate National Engineer’s day to recognise and honour the achievements of the great engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. The day is observed to commemorate the great work of engineers and to encourage them for improvement and innovation.

This year marks the 160th birth anniversary of M Visvesvaraya who was born on September 15, 1861, in the Muddenahalli village of Karnataka. He completed his school education in his hometown and later went to study Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Madras. However, he changed his career path after graduating and pursued civil engineering at the College of Science in Pune. 

Popularly known as Sir MV, Visvesvaraya undertook many complex projects and delivered remarkable infrastructural results during his career. He patented and installed an irrigation system with water floodgates at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune to raise the food supply level and storage to the highest levels know as ‘block system’ in 1903. 

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Lieutenant General JS Nain, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command visited Bangalore Military Station on September 14 and 15. He was briefed by the General Officer Commanding, Karnataka and Kerala Sub Area about their active role in operations as well as during peace time.

While appreciating the preparedness and efforts of the Sub Area in extending support to the Civil Administration of both Karnataka and Kerala states during Flood Relief Operations over the years, the Southern Army Commander also complimented the support given to veterans and their dependents during COVID pandemic. He exhorted the formation to continue the good work.

Bengaluru City police on Wednesday arrested two persons from Manipur for allegedly peddling heroin. 

The arrested are Paominsang Kipgen (31) and Nengdeikim (31) 

The police said that Nengdeikim, who hails from Manipur came to Bengaluru few years ago and worked in a spa. Later, she teamed up with Paominsang and allegedly started peddling narcotic substances in the city. 

Banaswadi police said that they have seized 10 gram heroin worth Rs 1.5 lakh and have handed over the accused to judicial custody.

Gram Panchayat workers across from Karnataka on Wednesday marched to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and Gram Panchayat Workers’ Union plans to stage a demonstration outside it pressing their demands.

Gram Panchayat employees said that they had not received their wages for the last 10-15 months.

A 25-year-old man who was admitted to the district Wenlock hospital in Mangaluru with suspected Nipah virus infection has tested negative. His samples had been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIE) in Pune and the result turned out to be negative for Nipah, Dakshina Kannada district health officer Dr Kishore Kumar said.

The Karwar-based person, who is a microbiologist in a laboratory at Goa, got himself admitted to KMC hospital at Manipal on Monday with fever and self-reported the suspicion that he had contracted Nipah virus. 

He was later shifted to Wenlock hospital in the city from where his samples were sent to Pune. (PTI)

A 35-year-old tusker was electrocuted in Hunsur reserve forest, adjoining Nagarhole tiger reserve on September 13.

Landowner Joyson Sunny and Sheshappa have been accused of illegally drawing electric power from the overhead transmission line and connecting it to the coffee estate's solar fence. 

A FIR in this connection has been registered at Bylakuppe police station.

On Monday, a 30-year-old tusker reportedly died of electrocution at Doddaharave Cauvery Wildlife limits, in Periyapatna taluk, Mysuru district.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will start white-topping work from the Tumakuru Road from Goraguntepalya Metro Station to Sandal Soap Factory Metro Station stretch from today. 

According to Bengaluru traffic police, the work on the road, which is 15 metres wide, will begin on one side while traffic movement will be allowed on the other.

BBMP commissioner Gaurav Gupta said, "We request citizens to cooperate and use the other parallel roads or alternate roads for commuting until the completion of white-topping work."

Police on Tuesday said they had to resort to mild lathi-charge on students, protesting against the National Education Policy (NEP), as they tried to march towards Vidhana Soudha, where the legislature session is on, and caused inconvenience to public.

A group of protesters, mostly students who had gathered under the banner of Campus Front of India to protest against the NEP, tried to march towards the Vidhana Soudha and sat down on the road when the police tried to stop them, causing a traffic jam, police sources said.

Despite attempts by the police to convince them stating that they cannot march to the Vidhana Soudha and that prohibitory orders were in place due to the Assembly session, the protesters refused to withdraw and officials had to forcefully disperse them and drive them away in vans and buses.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah condemned the police action and demanded an apology from the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. "I condemn the lathi charge on students in Bengaluru for protesting against the implementation of  New National Education Policy. Basavaraj Bommai should immediately withdraw NEP and apologise to the students," the veteran Congress leader tweeted. (PTI)

In a bid to keep up with emerging trends in the industrial sector, the Karnataka government has announced that six new course combinations will be offered to students signing up at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state.

Higher Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayan Tuesday announced that the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT) approved the new combinations as part of the government’s initiative to convert select ITIs into ‘technology hubs’.

“The new combinations will be available during admissions in the current year itself. This will apply to all 150 ITIs picked under the initiative implemented in collaboration with Tata Technologies,” the minister said.

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Customs officers at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) on Tuesday seized gold worth Rs 10.55 lakh from a passenger who arrived in Mangaluru from Dubai.

The accused passenger, Hussain Raazi Moideen Aboobaker (26), arrived by Air India Express flight IX384. He hails from Kasaragod district in Kerala.

The officers seized gold of 24 carat purity totally weighing 219 grams, valued at Rs 10,55,580 from the passenger. The gold was being smuggled by concealing it in two packing boxes of toy kitchen sets, a customs release said. (PTI)

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the government will organise a special COVID-19 vaccination drive on September 17 across the state, with a target to administer 25 to 30 lakh doses that day.

“We are organising a special vaccination drive on September 17 in all districts including Bengaluru. I have held a video conference with Deputy Commissioners of districts regarding this. Our aim is to administer maximum vaccines this month, so it has been decided to conduct such special drives,” Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Deputy Commissioners and officers involved in COVID-19 management from all the districts, he said, Ministers will be joining the drive from their respective districts and that he will be in Kalaburagi that day.

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Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh said that the government will decide on a date to resume offline classes for students in classes one to five after reviewing the Covid-19 pandemic situation across the state.

"Even though we do not have any report of a Covid third wave in the state so far, the Covid Task Force is seriously studying the issue. With the state government being very cautious, the situation will be reviewed again before arriving at a decision," he said.

Meanwhile, offline classes at high schools and PU colleges are set to resume in Kodagu and Daksina Kannada from Friday (Sept 17) in the wake of the test positivity rate at both districts falling below 2 per cent after a long period.

Several Kannada organisations Tuesday protested across Karnataka against Hindi Diwas celebrated in the country during the day.

A few Kannada organisations protested in front of Mysuru Bank Circle in Bengaluru and also across the state, including in front of all nationalised banks, demanding September 14 to be celebrated as Karnataka Regional Day in the state. Along with the Kannada organisations, Janata Dal (Secular) also held protests in the state.

T A Narayana Gowda, president of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, said, “The Centre is imposing Hindi across the country intentionally and thus, we are protesting today. This year, we are protesting Hindi imposition at banks.”

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Karnataka has reported 559 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths, taking the total number of infections to 29,62,967 and death toll to 37,529, the Health department said on Tuesday. The day also saw 1,034 discharges, taking the total number of recoveries in the state so far to 29,09,656.

Out of the 559 new cases reported on Tuesday, 231 were from Bengaluru Urban, as the city saw 302 discharges and 4 deaths. The total number of active cases in the state is at 15,754. While the positivity rate for the day stood at 0.52 per cent, case fatality rate (CFR) was at 2.14 per cent.

Out of 12 deaths reported on Tuesday, five are from Dakshina Kannada; Bengaluru Urban (4), Kodagau, Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada (1). Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 231, Dakshina Kannada 87, Udupi 57, Mysuur 28, Tumakuru 24, followed by others.

Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 12,41,870, followed by Mysuru 1,76,940 and Tumakuru 1,19,716. Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with 12,18,673, followed by Mysuru 1,74,065 and Tumakuru 1,18,000.

Cumulatively a total of 4,55,19,587 samples have been tested in the state so far, out of which 1,05,645 were tested on Tuesday alone. (PTI)

Conceding that the delay in installing LED streetlights in Bengaluru has created “dark spots” in the city, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said three lakh such streetlights will be installed by December.

The Chief Minister, who is also in-charge of Bengaluru City Development, was replying to a question raised by Dasarahalli JD(S) MLA R Manjunath in the state assembly on the delay caused in the project to replace all street lights with energy-efficient LEDs, and the inconvenience caused to people at night due to dysfunctional streetlights.

The project to replace all streetlights with LEDs was approved in 2019, and the government entrusted this work to BSPL, a consortium of Shapoorji Pallonji, SMC Infrastructure and Samudra Electronics Systems, under a public-private partnership.

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To overcome the first and last-mile connectivity issue to metro stations, a Bengaluru based AI-driven electric mobility platform MetroRide on Tuesday started electric autos between Indiranagar metro station and Embassy Golf Links (EGL) via 100 feet road in East Bengaluru.

According to the company, these rides cost a minimum of Rs 10 and enable customers to make their daily metro commute affordable, quick and carbon-free.

Girish Nagpal, CEO and co-founder of MetroRide, said, “we will be actively working with the government, Namma Metro and traffic authorities to ensure that our solution helps to decongest the city by enabling people to shift to greener commute solutions and shared mobility.”

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Even as the average number of fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Bengaluru during the last few days have dipped as compared to the same a fortnight back, private hospitals in the city have been recording a rise in the number of admissions.

While 359 new cases were reported on September 1, it dipped to 231 on September 14, data issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services indicated.

Dr Prasanna H M, President of the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) said hospitals across all eight zones in Bengaluru have been reporting a “gradual rise” in patients admitted for Covid or related treatment.

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Karnataka Minister for Higher Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan asked industries to make provision for accommodating students for internship, project work, hands-on experience, and training.

Participating in the 17th Edition of the India Innovation Summit organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) virtually with the theme tagline "Crafting our Future - Innovation for the Next World," he said though a few industrial organisations are following this, many more need to incorporate the same.

"The industry sector will also have to suffer if students are not made ready as per the requirements. To avoid this, the constructive linkage between academia and industry is essential," the minister cautioned the industry leaders.

Keeping in mind the interests of industries the government has been revising many policies including IT/BT Policy, Engineering R&D policy on a regular basis among many others, the Minister explained. He also said that the three offices of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) started in the state in Bengaluru, Hubballi and Mysuru will facilitate the growth of digital industries in the state. (PTI)

Two persons died after a car hit a two wheeler on the Electronic City flyover in Bengaluru on Tuesday night. A couple who were riding a Tamil Nadu registered vehicle and heading in the direction of Hosur from Bengaluru were knocked off the flyover and fell to their deaths on the highway below the flyover. 

The driver of the car - a Maruti Suzuki Baleno - was unconscious and is in hospital, according to local reports.

The crash occurred around 9.45 pm on Tuesday night and the identity of the couple was not initially established. They have now been identified as Pritham and Krithika from Tamil Nadu. They were reportedly working in Bengaluru.

The families of the couple have been informed, local police said.The car which was traveling towards Bengaluru was reportedly speeding and the crash occurred during an attempt to overtake another vehicle. 

The 27-year-old who was chased and killed at a football stadium in Bengaluru on September 12 was named in 2018 in a chargesheet over the attempted kidnapping of BJP leader and current minister K S Eshwarappa’s personal assistant N S Vinay, by a gang allegedly hired by N R Santhosh, the then personal assistant of B S Yediyurappa.

Aravind alias Lee, who had 14 criminal cases against him, was hacked to death in the referee’s changing room, ahead of a women’s A division league match, in a suspected revenge attack stemming from gang rivalry. Police sources said no connection has been found to the attempted kidnapping case.

Aravind is accused of having been a hired hand in the May 11, 2017, attempted kidnapping, in which 12 persons, including Santhosh, are accused.

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The Karnataka Forest Department has refused to give permission for the construction of a road connecting Thodikana in Kodagu with Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district since it was supposed to pass through the Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pattighat Reserve Forest. The department said that the construction of the road would violate the Forest Conservation Act (FCA).

The villagers of Patti and Thodikana have been demanding the construction of the road for the past decade. The road can bring down the distance of travel between Mangaluru and Talacauvery from 191 km to 131 km.

However, the road will pass through more than 10 hectares of forest land.

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A mega vaccination drive with a target to administer 1.50 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be held in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district of Karnataka on September 17, Deputy Commissioner K V Rajendra said on Tuesday. Being a priority district listed by the state government as DK shares borders with Kerala, the target has been given to speed up the vaccination drive, he told reporters in Mangaluru.

Around 500 vaccination sites will be set up for the purpose for which staff of private hospitals will also be used for administering the vaccine. The district administration will also designate a few private hospitals for the drive, the DC said.

More than 70 per cent of the targeted population have received the first dose of vaccines in DK. All panchayats have been directed to prepare a list of those who have not received the jab so far and those who are waiting for the second dose. Of the total vaccines, 40,000 vaccines will be administered in Mangaluru city corporation limits, he said. 

The test positivity rate in Dakshina Kannada has now come down to 1.57 per cent from 4.8 per cent in the first week of August. Of the 1,604 active cases, only 500 are undergoing treatment in hospitals and Covid-19 care centres. (PTI)

Good morning Bengaluru!
Welcome to the live blog from Bengaluru where we bring to you the latest updates on Basavaraj Bommai, Karnataka politics, Covid-19, BBMP and more across Bengaluru and Karnataka. Follow the blog and @IEBengaluru to stay up to date with the state in real time. 

The carcass of a five year old tiger was found in Gundre range, Bandipur Tiger Reserve on September 14.  The tiger had been snared in a bush along the forest D-line, near Hosahalli hamlet. The field director S R Natesh said the culprit has been identified and arrested.  Recently, a tiger reportedly died in Gundre range. The putrefied carcass was found more than a week after its death but for the lack of clinical evidence, it was attributed to natural death.

Two persons die after a car hit the scooter they were traveling on electronic city flyover in Bengaluru. The deceased fell from the flyover when the car hit them.

In a bid to keep up with emerging trends in the industrial sector, the Karnataka government has announced that six new course combinations will be offered to students signing up at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta has instructed the officials to submit a report on the performance of 26 mechanical sweepers within its limits after getting them examined by technical experts. 

He visited HMT Grounds in front of RT Nagar police station today and reviewed the operation of the mechanical sweepers that are used to clean the major roads in the city.  

Out of 26 mechanical sweepers, 17 are self-propelled, 8 truck-mounted and 1 small sweeping machine. The chief commissioner reviewed the issues including how are all the machines operating, how many machines are operating in which zone, which are the areas cleaned by them, how many kilometres an hour and how many kilometres of a particular road was cleaned per day. 

He instructed the officials to submit a report on whether the machines are functioning properly and if they are in good condition, the capacity of the machines and engines of the machines, whether the agency is following the operation and maintenance as per tender conditions and if not what action is being taken, how many kilometres per day does it clean, How many cubic metres of garbage can be stored in a machine, sweeping brush, and the functionality of the filter used to remove dust among other information after getting the machines examined by BMTC/KSRTC Regional Workshop.

Even as the average number of fresh Covid-19 cases reported in Bengaluru during the last few days have dipped as compared to the same a fortnight back, private hospitals in the city have been recording a rise in the number of admissions.

Several Kannada organisations Tuesday protested across Karnataka against Hindi Diwas celebrated in the country during the day.

A 36-year-old woman allegedly set her husband ablaze and murdered him with the help of her lover in Karnataka’s Tumakuru district.

Karnataka Higher Education Minister C N Ashwathnarayan underlined the need for collaboration of academia with industry to enable accommodating students for internship, project work, hands-on experience, and training.

“The industry sector will also have to suffer if students are not made ready as per the requirements. To avoid this, the constructive linkage between academia and industry is essential," Ashwathnarayan noted. 

He added that while a few industrial organizations were already following this, it was necessary for the others to incorporate the same.

The Minister also claimed that the government was revising several policies including sectors like Information Technology, Biotechnology, Engineering, and R&D policy on a regular basis to cater to the interests of industries. 

He was participating in the 17th edition of the India Innovation Summit held virtually by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

To overcome the first and last-mile connectivity issue to metro stations, a Bengaluru based AI-driven electric mobility platform MetroRide on Tuesday started electric autos between Indiranagar metro station and Embassy Golf Links (EGL) via 100 feet road in East Bengaluru.

Karnataka on Tuesday reported 55 fresh covid cases and 1034 recoveries. With todays numbers the total caseload of the state has reached 2962967. 

As the white topping project conducted by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)has begun in the stretch between Tumakuru Road Goraguntepalya Metro Station and Sandal Soap Factory Metro Station stretch, the civic body has requested citizens use the other parallel roads/alternate roads for commute until the completion of the work.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) forest cell has directed the shop owners, advertisers and cable operators not to put any advertisements, name boards, flash cards, striking cables, nails and stapler pins, rods used for construction purpose and installing electric lights, to the roadside trees. 

Following the series of controversies over the demolition of temples in Mysuru district, the district administration on Tuesday said that it has suspended the drive against illegal religious structures for now.

Deputy Commissioner Bagadi Gautham said that the state government has issued a notice seeking information about recent temple demolition drives. He said the demolition drive  will be halted temporarily until the authorities submit the reply to the notice.

Recently, a Hindu temple at Nanjangud in Mysuru district was demolished. Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah slammed the BJP government for destroying the 'ancient' Hindu temple without consulting local residents.

The Karnataka Forest Department has refused to give permission for the construction of a road connecting Thodikana in Kodagu with Sullia in Dakshina Kannada district since it was supposed to pass through the Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pattighat Reserve Forest. The department said that the construction of the road would violate the Forest Conservation Act (FCA).

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Rolls-Royce today signed an agreement for Make-in-India Adour engine parts to support Rolls-Royce's international defence customer base.

A PhD student at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, was found dead in his hostel room Monday after a suspected overdose of medicines. The deceased Rajarshi Bhattacharya, a native of Kolkata, was a third-year PhD student at the institute’s Department of Organic Chemistry.

To solve the first and last-mile connectivity issue to Bengaluru metro stations, a Bengaluru-based AI-driven electric mobility platform MetroRide on Tuesday started electric autos between Indiranagar metro station and Embassy Golf Links (EGL) in the city.

According to the company, the cost for these rides starts at Rs 10. The MetroRide autos will connect Indiranagar Metro Station to Embassy Golf Links (EGL) via the 100 feet road in East Bengaluru. According to the company, it enables the customers to make their daily Metro commute affordable, quick and carbon-free.
 
Girish Nagpal, CEO, and Co-Founder, MetroRide said, “We will be actively working with the government, Namma Metro and traffic authorities to ensure that our solution helps the city to decongest by enabling people to shift to greener commute solutions and shared mobility.”

The company which is a startup said the commuters can download the app and book rides to the metro station and EGL tech park. Kaaman Agarwal, Co-Founder said, “Indiranagar is one of the important areas in Bengaluru. It is surrounded by tech parks and office spaces along with the bustling 100 Feet Road that caters to a lot of commuters.”

Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar claimed that the state was facing no hiccups in the coverage of Covid-19 vaccination. "We are well on course to fully inoculate the entire adult population by November end," he said.

The Minister explained that the state received more than 1.1 crore doses of vaccine in August and had already received about 48.96 lakh doses in September so far. 

To date, 4.78 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered across the state of which 1.24 crore (nearly 26 per cent) were second doses, as per data issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa who attend the legislative assembly session for the first time after demitting office, on Monday said he will function as an ordinary BJP MLA and would make all efforts to ensure Congress leader Siddaramaiah continues to remain in opposition after 2023 assembly polls in the state.

The BJP strongman said his successor Basavaraj Bommai was doing a “good job” as the Chief Minister and that he would extend all kinds of support and cooperation to him.

“I don’t have any such thing, with utmost happiness I will function as an ordinary BJP MLA, there is nothing that I want to function only as Chief Minister. As an MLA sitting in the back benches, I will appreciate the good work of the government and do everything to ensure that the opposition parties continue to remain in opposition in the days to come,” Yediyurappa said in response to a question on attending the session as an MLA.

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Barely two months after it was reopened by former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, repair works are again underway on Commercial Street – a shopping high street in Bengaluru. The work will, however, not impact shopping ahead of the festival season, officials and local enterprises have stated.

The Bengaluru Smart City Ltd (BSCL) which is implementing the project has said the repair work will go on for a fortnight and will be carried out in phases.

Though the street was thrown open for shoppers in August, the cobblestones started getting dislodged and losing color following heavy rainfall in July-end. During a recent inspection, Revenue Minister R Ashok ordered the contractor to replace the tiles after complaints of shoddy workmanship surfaced.

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A week after a 12-year-old boy succumbed to the Nipah virus in Kerala’s Kozhikode district, a person in Mangaluru was suspected of the same infection in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district on Monday.

According to health commissioner K V Trilok Chandra, the person who works as a lab technician in Mangaluru had not shown any severe symptoms till the sample was sent for testing at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.

“We need to be alert though but there is no need to panic. The person has not reported any severe symptoms so far,” he said.

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Mangaluru’s Ruth Clare Dsilva has secured all India rank (AIR) scoring 59 per cent in the old course as results of the CA final examination held in July 2021, were announced Monday by the The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). 

Elated by her success, the topper said that she was confident to clear the exam but was unsure if she could secure a rank. 

Ruth completed schooling from her hometown and pursued BCom (Hons) from distance learning. “Since school days, my favourite subject was accountancy and therefore, I pursued graduation through distance mode and began my preparation for the CA exam,” the topper said. 

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Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has set aside one day in the week to listen to issues of BJP legislators in the state as part of an excercise to prevent estrangement that occurred during the tenure of former CM B S Yediyurappa.

The chief minister will meet BJP legislators every week on Thursdays, the law and parliamentary affairs minister J C Madhuswamy said on Monday night after a BJP legislature party meeting in Bengaluru.

The weekly meetings of the CM with legislators is part of a series of initiatives undertaken by the BJP to synchronise the functioning of the government and the party. BJP ministers have also started visiting the party office in recent days to meet party workers. Education minister B C Nagesh and agriculture minister B C Patil met party workers at the party office in Bengaluru a few days ago.

One of the major concerns in the BJP during the tenure of former CM Yediyurappa was the wide chasm between the government and party. Legislature party meetings were not held and some legislators wrote to the party high command about their issues remaining unaddressed despite the BJP being in power in Karnataka. Disgruntled legislators were a key factor in the BJP's decision to change the CM in Karnataka in July - apart from the alleged interference in government administration by members of the former CM Yediyurappa's family.