Sridhar Vivan

Bengaluru faces a severe road safety crisis, ranking second nationally for accidents and fatalities in 2024. With an accident every 110 minutes and a death every 10 hours, the city recorded nearly 4,800 crashes and over 890 deaths. Despite a slight reduction in accidents, the grim statistics highlight a persistent and escalating challenge for India's tech hub, impacting thousands with injuries.

Cloud-kissed viewpoints are accessible again as visitors return to the beloved hill destination, while local drivers and businesses look forward to recovering lost earnings after a challenging season

Concerns have been raised over fraudulent claims as Karnataka currently has around 83 lakh pension beneficiaries under various social security schemes, with the government spending nearly Rs 840 crore every month towards pension payments

A recent study reveals a significant link between eating speed and weight gain, with rapid eaters exhibiting higher BMI and abdominal fat. Bengaluru's fast-paced lifestyle, characterized by rushed meals, may be contributing to this growing health concern. Researchers emphasize that even regular exercise might not fully counteract the impact of consistently fast eating habits, highlighting a crucial behavioral factor for urban dwellers.

Bengaluru, India's tech hub, faces a stark reality with the highest number of cases involving assault or criminal force against women among major Indian cities, according to NCRB-2024 data. The city also reports alarming figures for sexual harassment. Experts cite unsafe public spaces and inadequate infrastructure, not just better reporting, as key issues. This highlights a critical need to address urban safety failures for women.

Bengaluru faces a drinking water crisis as weak monsoons drastically reduce inflows into the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir. Authorities are increasing releases from KRS to Shiva Anaicut, the city's primary water source, to maintain supply. Officials are implementing contingency plans, exploring alternative sources, and urging judicious water use to avert shortages, a stark contrast to last year's abundant storage.

A month-long voter verification drive is underway across the city, with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visiting homes to update electoral rolls. The primary challenge for many voters is recalling their enrollment details from 2002, a requirement stemming from the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision. Delimitation changes have further complicated this, but BLOs are equipped with digital tools to assist citizens in tracing historical records.

Experts call for microzonation, stricter building norms, continuous monitoring and better preparedness to minimise damage

Law requires entities collecting personal data to process it only with consent for lawful purposes, imposes penalties for violations and strengthens privacy by ensuring individuals retain control over their information

The Bengaluru-Chennai high-speed rail corridor's final survey is complete. This 306-km route will feature underground stations at Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield. Trains will travel at 320 kmph, reducing journey time to just over an hour. Future phases plan an extension of this line to Mysuru. Karnataka's rail network has significantly expanded and is now electrified.