silkboard's blog

Traffic enforcement - the new interceptors

10 July 2009 - 11:16pm — silkboard

Noticed some new data on Traffic Police website - enforcement statistics for these new things called the interceptors (see bottom of

BMTC, corruption and ticket-less rides

8 July 2009 - 1:27pm — silkboard

So I did it, in fact twice now. Entered xxxE, knowing fully well that fare to my destination was Rs 6. Took out two 2 rupee coins - no ticket given, no questions asked. Next, I tried this in a Volvo xxxC. Was a bit nervous doing it, and must tell you that I succeeded only in my third attempt at this. Entered the bus, and when conductor passed by asking for tickets, I ignored him.

Metro south reach extensions for phase 1

6 July 2009 - 8:15am — silkboard

Saw this metro tender in newspapers last week that read: "Construction of Elevated Structures (Via Duct) from RV Road station (excluding Viaduct portion) up to Puttenahalli cross (including) and Construction of 3 Nos of Elevated Metro Stations in Reach-4 extension on South Side".

The Vajra 500 route, rapid, but last mile remains

30 June 2009 - 10:01pm — silkboard

Finally, we managed to convince parents to leave behind their car for the J P Nagar to Whitefield trip they take so often to come see us. And now they love it. Better ride and no tension of driving. What clinched the deal was a simple game one evening, when their grandson said "let me count all 500Cs coming the other way".

Corridor Improvement Plan - Airport Road

16 June 2009 - 9:53am — silkboard

So now, elections over, pressure on BJP to perform etc etc, its time for city's local government to deliver more on the Big10 promise. While we can criticise the mish mash that city's local government is (BBMP, BDA, BMTC etc, and then ABIDe, two ministers assigned to the city), good work or unplanned work, bit it does seem like there is work happening on the ground inside the city.

9th May 'interaction' with Metro - who were "they"?

12 May 2009 - 10:03am — silkboard

There are reports around about how the 9th May interaction between Metro and Laxman Rau Park and Lalbagh lovers (fronted by Hasiru Usiru) turned 'ugly'. After reading enough on HU mailing list, and hearing a first hand account of the event, I learn that some "special" people were brought (by whom?) to project the other ("we love Metro") view.

LDA is back - Madivala lake and others

11 May 2009 - 8:13am — silkboard

Who is actually responsible for upkeep of Bangalore's lakes? Answer may go like this - some lakes LDA, rest of them BWSSB. Refer late last year's news articles - lakes were transferred from LDA to BWSSB. But this was done only for some (17 or 18) lakes. To remind us all that they are around, LDA has floated work for rejuvenating 3 lakes.

Analyzing Traffic Police's spot fine system

5 May 2009 - 3:00pm — silkboard

I am told that developed countries do not have this system of spot fines. We do - and I guess that low levels of automation would be one reason we have this in place - sub-inspector or above can issue challans and levy spot fines.

Killing our lakes - Varthur Lake as well?

29 April 2009 - 12:34am — silkboard

No new post this, just a rehash of year old "Eating up Varthur Lake". Inspired by Rithesh's recent note on Hebbal/Nagavara Lake, I wanted to remind us about possible encorachments on the area/stream between Varthur and Belandur lakes.

Bangalore, and water - urgency?

28 April 2009 - 8:54am — silkboard

Building up on their last report, Jayshree Nandi (with S Kushala) had yet another report in TOI yesterday to highlight Bangalore's water woes.

Thank you for highlighting the water woes

19 April 2009 - 8:34am — silkboard

Thank you, thank you very much Times of India, and journalists Jayashree Nandi & Aarthi R for highlighting the water woes of Bengaluru right atop your Sunday frontpage, bang next to that thing called IPL. Water shortage and quality issues came up high in Jaagore-Praja-SmartVote election issue survey here, which was a bit surprising (yeah, we know and care!). But no candidate has shown serious interest or understanding - forget solutions - for the looming water shortage faced by Namma Bengaluru.

Interested members who want to take this further, please sign up for this BWSSB tracking project which is running slow for lack of volunteers (just leave a comment there to say you want to help). We must track and understand BWSSB's projects and constraints, the understanding and impact of their initiatives (or delays) has to be taken beyond just some dedicated NGOs working in this space.

Still undecided

18 April 2009 - 3:30pm — silkboard

Speaking of Bangalore North, I don't find any candidate or promise that exciting, so I am thinking that I will have to go vote for the party and not person. Wish I was in Bangalore South, seems like some good opitions there.

"Big10/Volvo to office" day for Whitefield - come join!

9 April 2009 - 9:15am — silkboard

It grew out of an idea from Pradip, a public transport enthusiast. He suggested that we stand at Kundalahalli junction one weekday morning and hand out roses and BMTC route maps to all the car commuters. The thought has grown into a "Big10/Volvo to work day" for Whitefield.

Urban minimum wage as election promise?

8 April 2009 - 1:18am — silkboard

Cities are not just about rich or middle classes. It is estimated that majority of residents (> 60%) in our cities belong in poor or lower middle income groups. I was wondering if Lok Sabha 2009 has seen any promises that would influence the votes of this sizeable group?

More pedestrian magic boxes from BBMP

2 April 2009 - 8:21am — silkboard

In this close to a month old BBMP tender, find mention of RCC precast technology. Yes, thats our magic boxes. 6 of these are mentioned, one each for Ward #s 58, 61,62,63,64 and 65!. 65 lakhs each. Description: "Construction of Underpass / Pedestran Convenience Using RCC precast Technology in".

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