Heavy rains lash Bangalore, traffic snarls due to waterlogging

[email protected] (News Network)
November 24, 2013

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Bangalore, Nov 24: Heavy rain lashed the City and surrounding areas on Saturday night, throwing weekend traffic out of gear.

By 11:30 pm, Bangalore received a rainfall of 106.2 mm. It was immediately not known whether it was a record on a single day in November.

Most of the underpasses were flooded with almost four feet of water and several roads had knee-deep water, triggering massive traffic jams in the central business district.

Several places reported flooding and waterlogging. People who were gearing up for weekend celebrations and those who were out shopping were caught unawares as it started pouring in the evening and lasted for a few hours.

Around 20 houses in the Kamakhya area of Banashankari, near the Deve Gowda Petrol Bunk, Banashankari II Stage and at Ganesh Mandir ward were flooded.

Eleven houses at Krishnappa Garden and one each at Malleshwaram Circle, Someshwaranagar and Journalist Colony were also flooded.

Several houses at Kamalanagar, Laggere, Kalyan Nagar at Nagarbhavi, Mahalakshmi Layout, J?P Nagar, Mahadevapura, Byatarayanapura, Wilson Garden and Kanakapura Road were inundated. The drains were choked with garbage at a number of places on MG Road and Church Street .

Officials of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said gangmen and lorries were sent to pump out water from the flooded houses soon after complaints were received. Mayor B S Satyanarayana instructed the gangmen and subordinates to take steps to clear the water-clogged areas and flooded zones. BBMP Commissioner M Laxminarayana told Deccan Herald: “We will ensure that the heavy rain does not disrupt the public. I am monitoring the areas affected by the downpour and have alerted the control room as well.”

Vehicular movement came to a standstill for more than two hours in the City's central business district.

Government and private buses were stuck on roads in Okalipuram, K?G?Road, Yeshwanthpur, Bellary Road, Electronics City and Mysore Road,?said the traffic police. Vehicles clogged the area around Anand Rao Circle and near the old Kino theatre for hours. It was a similar story at Shantinagar bus stand. It was a herculean task for the traffic police to manage vehicular flow as signal lights went off at several junctions.?The police deployed additional forces and manually handled the vehicular movement.

The rain partially affected trains' schedule. Some trains left the City and Yeshwanthpur stations late, added the police.

Slow moving traffic was also reported at Mekhri Circle, Seshadripuram Underpass, K R Market Circle, Anil Kumble Circle, Magadi Road, Hebbal among others. On MG Road, there was traffic congestion even around 10:30 pm. The entire stretch of MG Road from the Brigade Road intersection to Chinnaswamy Stadium was clogged with vehicles as well.

A number of vehicles were also seen floating at traffic junctions such as Shivananda Circle, Seshadripuram, Rhenius Street, Shantinagar and Mekhri Circle among others.

At many places, vehicle owners abandoned their vehicles and were seen wading in waist-deep water. Such scenes were witnessed mostly at underpasses, said Laxminarayana.

“Underpasses in various places have up to four feet of water. In some places roads have been flooded with two feet of water. However, most main roads are not flooded. We have not received many calls of houses being flooded as yet. Water will pumped out of flooded subways once the rain stops,” he added.

Vehicles parked in the basement of apartments at J?P?Nagar, Puttenahalli, Marathalli, K?R?Puram, Indiranagar and other places were submerged in the rain water. Two cars, three auto rickshaws and two bikes were submerged at the railway underbridge in Sheshadripuram, said BBMP officers.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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News Network
November 5,2024

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Bengaluru: In a major legal twist, an FIR has been filed against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, and their close associate Suresh Babu. The trio is accused of threatening a senior IPS officer and making false allegations against him. The FIR, registered by the Sanjaynagar police, follows a complaint by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M. Chandrasekhar, who heads the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Karnataka Lokayukta.

Allegations Against Kumaraswamy
The crux of the case revolves around ADGP Chandrasekhar's investigation into Kumaraswamy's alleged illegal approval of a mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals (SSVM). Kumaraswamy, currently serving as Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, has been accused of bypassing legal procedures in favor of SSVM, prompting Chandrasekhar to seek the Karnataka Governor's approval to pursue legal action.

In response, Chandrasekhar claims that Kumaraswamy lashed out publicly. On September 28 and 29, the former Karnataka Chief Minister held press conferences, accusing the officer of bribery, misuse of medical records, and personal misconduct. According to the ADGP, Kumaraswamy also issued a threat of transferring him to another cadre outside Karnataka.

Nikhil and Aide Suresh Babu Involved
Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy is also implicated in the controversy. On September 29, Nikhil allegedly echoed his father’s accusations against Chandrasekhar. The third individual named in the FIR, Suresh Babu, a close aide to Kumaraswamy, is accused of escalating the issue by writing a letter to the Karnataka Chief Secretary. This letter, containing further allegations, was made public on social media, adding to the pressure on the senior officer.

Legal Action and Charges
Though Chandrasekhar's complaint was filed in October, formal legal proceedings began on November 4 after securing approval from the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM). The charges include Section 224 (threat of injury to a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A police source familiar with the case confirmed the charges.

ADGP Chandrasekhar's Response
In a strong rebuttal, ADGP Chandrasekhar addressed his team and the media, branding Kumaraswamy as an accused person trying to intimidate the SIT. He emphasized that these attacks were intended to undermine his officers' morale and interfere with the investigation.

“An accused, no matter how powerful, remains an accused. This attempt to instill fear in the minds of officers is meant to hinder justice," Chandrasekhar said in a written statement. Referring to Kumaraswamy, he added, "This accused, who is currently out on bail, has resorted to such tactics to shake our resolve."

Quoting Shaw to Drive the Point Home
In a dramatic conclusion, Chandrasekhar cited playwright George Bernard Shaw, saying, “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it,” signaling his intent to remain unshaken in the face of public accusations and personal threats.

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News Network
November 3,2024

Mangaluru, Nov 3: Mangaluru police have apprehended two individuals connected to a major online purchasing scam, seizing assets worth ₹11.45 lakh. The suspects, Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27), hail from Rajasthan and are accused of fraudulently acquiring high-value electronics through deceptive orders.

Background of the Case

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the case began with a fraudulent order placed through an international e-commerce company. Using a false identity under the name "Amrith," the suspects ordered two high-end Sony cameras along with ten other items, directing the delivery to an address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru on September 21 at 4 p.m.

The Scam Unfolds

During delivery, Raj Kumar Meena received the items by providing a delivery OTP, while Subhash Gurjar reportedly distracted the delivery personnel. The suspects then executed a sticker-swapping tactic, replacing original Sony camera box labels with stickers from other items in the order to mislead the delivery team. Meena also intentionally provided an incorrect OTP, causing further confusion. The duo told the delivery agent they would collect the cameras the next day, then sent him away before cancelling the camera order.

Detection and Arrest

The unusual activity raised suspicions, and upon inspection, Amazon’s delivery partner, Mahindra Logistics, discovered the sticker swap and alerted Amazon. Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects had taken the genuine cameras and left behind tampered boxes.

Upon deeper investigation, CCTV footage and other tracking methods led the police to identify and pursue the suspects as they attempted to flee the city. Meena was initially detained by the Salem police on October 4 for a similar scam and subsequently transferred to Urwa police custody in Mangaluru. Following his 13-day custody beginning on October 18, which included a thorough probe in both Mangaluru and Jaipur, Subhash Gurjar was apprehended on October 21.

Broader Criminal Network

The arrested individuals are allegedly part of a larger network, with involvement in at least 12 other high-profile cases. Their targets included high-end cameras, iPhones, and laptops, each costing over ₹10 lakh, with cases registered across states like Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

The seized assets, valued at ₹11.45 lakh, have been presented to the court as evidence, and investigations continue as authorities seek to dismantle this organized fraud operation.

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