Karnataka News
Karnataka elections: PM Modi pens open letter to electorate, highlights BJP’s commitment to development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday penned an open letter addressed to the people of Karnataka, day ahead of Assembly elections in the BJP-ruled state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday penned an open letter addressed to the people of Karnataka, day ahead of Assembly elections in the BJP-ruled state.
In his letter, PM Modi said that during ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Kaal’, Indians have strived to make the country a developed nation and Karnataka is keen to the movement towards that cherished goal, adding that the “love and affection” people of Karnataka have showered upon him is a “divine blessing.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the fact that India is the fifth largest economy in the world and aims to reach the top three but this would only be possible if Karnataka is developed.
He said that Karnataka’s development would speed up India’s goal towards becoming a $1 trillion economy.
PM Modi also reiterated BJP’s poll promises and its commitment to the development of Karnataka and its people, saying that the saffron party aims to make the poll-bound state number one in investment, industry and innovation and also “No.1 in education, employment and entrepreneurship.”
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The Prime Minister, who has been on a vigorous campaign trail over the past week as the BJP attempts to break the nearly four decade old anti-incumbency factor in the state and remain in power in tomorrow’s polls, said that under BJP rule, Karnataka was granted Rs 90,000 crore annually during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to Rs 30,000 under the previous dispensation.
PM Modi assured voters that the BJP will continue to work towards creating next-gen urban infrastructure, modernizing transport, raising the quality of life in rural and urban areas, and creating opportunities for women and youth in Karnataka, adding that the “dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream.”
The Prime Minister also released a video message in which urged people to come out and vote in tomorrow’s polls to make Karnataka number one.
Karnataka Assembly elections will be held tomorrow (May 10) and counting of votes for the 224-seat Assembly will take place on May 13.
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India News
Bengaluru: Police issue traffic advisory ahead of Eid celebrations, check routes, diversions here
The fresh traffic advisory comes after an unprecedented traffic snarl in the city on Tuesday.
Amid Eid celebrations, Bengaluru traffic police issued a fresh traffic advisory on Thursday. The fresh traffic advisory comes after an unprecedented traffic snarl in the city on Tuesday. The advisory listed diversions, restrictions, alternate routes and timings.
The Bengaluru police asserted that the processions are set to be taken on between 3pm and 9pm today and large gatherings are likely to take place. It is reported that the traffic congestion on Tuesday occurred as residents headed out for the long weekend with Eid Milad on Thursday, a state-wide bandh on Friday and Gandhi Jayanti on Monday.
The Bengaluru police noted that in view of Eid-Milad procession in the limits of Ulsoor Gate Traffic Police Station, on 28.09.2023 from 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm, a large number of people are expected to gather at YMCA ground, Nrupathunga road. They added that in order to ascertain free flow of traffic, the following traffic arrangements have been made.
According to the police, few roads that the residents should avoid during the Eid celebrations are Nrupathunga Road, Dr B R Ambedkar Road, Nayanadanahalli Junction, Kimko Junction, Bapuji Nagar, Market Circle. In addition, movement of vehicles has also been restricted in a few roads such as Nagawara junction to Pottery circle road, Nethaji circle towards Pottery circle, Haines road from Lazar road and M.M. road, H.M. road from KEB junction to Hall road.
Meanwhile, parking is restricted on both sides of the following roads: Nagawara Junction to Pottery Circle, Govindapura Junction to Govindapura L&O Police Station, HBR Layout Sidddappa Reddy Junction to Narendra Tent Junction, Nethaji junction to Haines junction, Haines junction to New Bamboo Bazar junction, Haines junction to Haj camp, Lazar road to Wheelers road Thoms Cafe junction.
On September 27, residents of Bengaluru witnessed a massive traffic jam, leaving hundreds of them stuck for hours. Notably, social media platforms were flooded with videos and photos of Bengaluru’s congested road as social media users complained about the tragic situation.
India News
Cauvery water dispute: Bengaluru bandh evokes partial response as public services function normally
Though cab services, autos and hotels, restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators asserted not many people were coming out to utilise the services.
The Bengaluru bandh summoned by farmers and Kannada organisations on Tuesday and supported by the BJP and JD(S) in protest against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu evoked partial response as most of the public services were functioning normally. However, very few people ventured out in the streets.
Though cab services, autos and hotels, restaurants were seen operating, drivers and hotel operators asserted not many people were coming out to utilise the services. In Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses and Metro rail services, the usual rush was not seen. In addition, Ola-Uber Drivers Association and Hotel Owners Association have said that their services will be normal today.
On the other hand, Bengaluru Urban district Deputy Commissioner Dayananda K A has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city on Tuesday, in wake of the bandh. Several private companies and firms, including those in the IT sector have asked their employees to work from home. Some shopping malls in the city have decided to remain shut. Many shops and establishments were also seen not functioning as usual in the morning hours.
Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti, which is an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations headed by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, has given the call for today’s dawn-to-dusk (6 am to 6 pm) Bengaluru shutdown. Shanthakumar and other leaders of the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti were arrested by the police at the Mysuru Bank circle, as they were trying to hold a protest march towards Town Hall.
In addition, multiple activists of Kannada organisations were also whisked away by the police at Town Hall, as they gathered there to demonstrate a protest. Farmers’ leaders and Kannada activists slammed the government for allegedly using police force to curtail the protests and bandh. Farmers and pro-Kannada organisations are further expected to stage a protest at the Freedom Park, which is a designated place for such demonstrations.
According to reports, city police have taken adequate security measures to respond to any violence that may happen during the protests. Nearly 100 platoons have been deployed. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda stated that prohibitory orders under Section 144 are in place across the city from midnight on Monday to midnight on Tuesday in the view of the bandh.
According to existing restrictions and court orders, there is no permission for any bandh or procession in the city, he added. On the other hand, a Karnataka bandh, a state-wide shutdown, was called on September 29 by Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj. They are not supporting today’s bandh.
Karnataka News
Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal announces relaunch of bike-taxi service in Bengaluru
According to Bhavish Aggarwal, bike taxi prices are set at Rs 25 for a 5-kilometer ride and Rs 50 for a 10-kilometer travel.
Ola is reintroducing electric bike taxis in Bengaluru. Bhavish Aggarwal, the company’s CEO, introduced the service via a social media post, offering rides for Rs 25 for 5km and Rs 50 for 10km, with ambitions for statewide expansion.
Bhavish Aggarwal, the company’s co-founder and CEO, posted on the social media platform X, restarting Ola Bike in Blr today. This time, we’re going all electric with our own S1 scooters.
According to Bhavish Aggarwal, bike taxi prices are set at Rs 25 for a 5-kilometer ride and Rs 50 for a 10-kilometer travel.
Rs 25 for 5 kilometres, Rs 50 for 10 kilometres. Lowest cost, highest comfort, and best for the environment! We will expand across India over the next few months, Aggarwal added.
According to reports, cab and car organisations in Bengaluru have recently urged the Karnataka government to impose a ban on bike taxis within the city. They claim that these bike taxis are unsafe for women and that operating them with whiteboard registration plates is against the law. Furthermore, there have been reports of car drivers assaulting Rapido bike taxi drivers because of their presence.
The government claimed that the enforcement of a ban on bike taxis would involve following legal procedures, according to reports. Following the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association’s declaration of a Bengaluru bandh, Karnataka’s Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, stated his determination to meet and resolve the concerns voiced by auto and taxi drivers in the state.
Meanwhile, according to reports, Ola has joined the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to provide food delivery services and is currently visible to a small number of consumers.
According to sources, the corporation has been testing the function for more than a month within its app for staff and the small number of consumers who have access to it.
