The Observer
The Observer An IIJNM publication
Locals take extra caution this Diwali to stay safe from firecrackers | P 2
Vol 18, Issue 10
@theweeklyobserver On the Web: issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs/ the_observer
Thursday, October 25, 2018
A year on, city traders are violating the GST law in different ways | P 4
BBMP continues to struggle with craters Deadline set by HC expires; motorists not happy with solution of mud & gravel R Yohanjali
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espite the October 23 deadline set by the Karnataka High Court for the BBMP to fill potholes, hundreds of craters still exist across Bengaluru. In its hurry to meet the extended deadline, the BBMP has used mud and gravel to fill potholes across Bengaluru. Motorists doubt the repair will last, pointing out that heavy rain washes away the new flimsy surface. With the situation remaining bad, the high court warned the BBMP that it will hand the work to another agency if the municipal body does not do a proper job. The Times of India quoted the court as saying: “In the onemonth-plus (time) since September 19, Bengaluru city could have been freed of potholes if BBMP had worked. During Dasara holidays, traffic was less. Even otherwise, you could have arranged things with traffic police.”As per The TOI several petitioners have sent images of poor work. The court commissioners have been asked to visit and supervise work
SHODDY JOB: Residents complain that the pothole filling done by the BBMP, with mud and gravel, is undone when it rains heavily | Courtesy: KPN done by BBMP and report onstatus about the 19 remaining places. The use of mud and gravel — no tar is used — seems an ad hoc solution. “We just do what we are told to. What material will be used to fix theses potholes is not in our hands,” said a worker who was repairing potholes on Mysuru road. Another worker said: “People say that we do not work properly, that we are lazy. What can we do? We are bound to our con-
tractor and can’t suggest anything to our boss.” “We are trying our best to clear potholes. It will take time. We are also looking for biological ways to fill them as it will be cheaper and eco-friendly,” said a BBMP official. The unsatisfactory work has created new hazards for commuters. A student who uses Mysuru Road daily said: “Since they fill the potholes with gravel, the road is slippery. Our vehicles skid more while trying to dodge the
Property buyers suffer losses as builders overlook RERA law Yajush Gupta
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omplaints of Bengaluru builders and developers not abiding by the RERA law have increased significantly. Noncompliance has led to many builders paying hefty penalties. There are numerous complaints about builders not providing basic amenities, giving late possession, committing breach of contract and demanding extra money. Sai Venkat and 79 others brought apartments from ND Developers in 2013. The flats were supposed to be handed over five years ago, but the buyers are still waiting. “Even the banks that gave us loans against property hold us responsible to repay them. Today we have no house and huge loans
potholes, NICE Road also has a few potholes which make the journey rough.” Senovia Rodriguez, a software engineer at Capgemini, informed The Observer: “Whitefield has several potholes. We skid while taking that road. It’s worse in the evening as its dark. This leads to accidents.” Citizens are unhappy because the potholes have been filled with mud and gravel. “One heavy rain and the pothole filling is reversed. Rain
News Briefs lNational: CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana instructed to go on leave on the basis of a strongly worded report by Central Vigilance Commission. lLocal: KSRTC gives its employees a reward of Rs 20 each to buy sweets. The employees say the cororation could have given better rewards.
Builders are ignoring ongoing projects and starting new projects after taking money from customers. | Credit: Yajush Gupta to repay. We had filed an FIR money from customers even beagainst the company and its man- fore obtaining requisite apaging director, but no action has provals. They also collect money been taken against them,” Sai for one project and use it to comVenkat informed The Observer. plete other projects. Liju Thomas One of the main causes for de- George, founder director at lays is that builders ignore ongo- Greens Projects said that ing projects and start collecting Continued on page 4
makes our travel worse. Potholes keep coming back,” said a source on Mysuru Road who didn’t want to be named. “It’s also a health problem. Due to rain, water stagnates in potholes, leading to mosquito breeding.” Citizens can report potholes to the BBMP on WhatsApp number 9480685700, or call the Control Room (22660000), or lodge complaints on the Sahaaya platform (bbmp.sahaaya.in). Dilip R, who works for the helpline in the Control Room, said: “Most contractors want to make money. So they hire few people which leads to poor work. Many complaints are still pending. Thousands of citizens call us, but only a few (potholes) are cleared. Most potholes in KR Puram, KR Market and Yelahanka have been cleared. As per a government order, tar must be used to fill potholes.” The high court first set the BBMP a deadline of October 2017 to get rid of potholes. The issue came up in the court again this year. A September 23, 2018, deadline was extended to October 23. yohanjali.r@iijnm.org
lShortage of coal in Karnataka thermal plants could lead to the plants shutting down. Raichur thermal plants have already got affected while the Bellary Yeramarus plants are left with a sixday stock of coal. The CM and chief secretary’s letters to Union power and coal minister Piyush Goyal have got a quick response. lInternational: Personal data of customers is being “weaponised with military efficiency” by countries to earn profit, says Apple
CEO Tim Cook. Defending this statement, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook users are aware of the ad-based business models for free services. lUS President Donald Trump has said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and that the prince is “running things over there in Riyadh”. lBusiness: After reporting a 2.8% constant currency sequential revenue growth, Wipro has increased freshers’ salaries from Rs 3.2 lakh per annum to Rs 3.5 lakh. lSports: Second ODI between India and West Indies ends in a tie after wonderful performances by Virat Kohli (157) and Shai Hope (123). lBarcelona defeats Inter Milan in the Champions League.