Issue23theobserver

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The Observer An IIJNM Publication

‘People who throw acid should hide their faces’| P2

Vol 18, Issue 23

Thursday, March 15, 2018

The Observer

@theweeklyobserver On the web: issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs/the observer

Seed laddoos help to bring back city’s greenery | P2

City stuck in traffic, gasps for breath

HEAVY DEMAND FOR ISL FINAL TICKETS

Data: Rising No. of vehicles has fouled the air Pracheta Panja

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n alarming rise in air pollution, contributed largely by an increasing number of vehicles, has caused Bengaluru to gasp. Data for 2017 released by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) says Bengaluru’s poor Air Quality index causes “breathing discomfort to the people with lung, heart disease, children and older adults”. Bengaluru’s PM2.5, recorded at different parts of the city, was calculated at 40 μg/m3, way above the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline limit of 10 μg/m3 annual mean. PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. “The levels of PM10/PM 2.5 are attributed to the vehicular emissions/ movement, resuspension of road dust and construction activities,” the KSPCB data said. Dr Nagappa B, a scientific officer at the KSPCB admitted that the traffic is rapidly growing, but denied that the condition in Bengaluru is critical with respect to air pollution. “I agree traffic is too much in the city, but Bengaluru’s air quality is moderate and PM lev-

Traffic conjestion increases vehicular emission and degrades air quality. | Pracheta Panja el is under control. Bengaluru is in a better state than Kolkata, Mumbai and, of course, Delhi,” he informed The Observer. According to a study conducted by Urban Emissions, which researches air pollution, traffic in Bengaluru is going out of control, causing pollution levels to cross WHO’s safety limits. According to the Urban Emissions study, “Bangalore’s rapid growth, mostly associated with the growth of the IT industry, has created problems relating to traffic congestion. The unplanned nature of growth in the city boosted the infrastructure and other construction activities in the region, and also resulted in massive traffic gridlocks that the municipality attempted to ease by constructing a flyover system and by imposing oneway traffic systems, which were unable to adequately address the on-road issues and associ-

ated increase in air pollution.” The pollution level is directly proportionate to the size and growth of the city. Disproportionate growth is posing major hazards for Bengaluru, which has expanded beyond its estimated boundaries. Prof. Kshithij Urs, who teaches public policy at the National Law School of India University, said to The Observer, “In respect to the national context, Bengaluru is still in a better condition than other cities; but that situation has been worsening in the past 20 years. The city has become one of the fastest two- and four-wheeler selling cities in the country. This reflects a lack of public transport and urban planning.” Urs added: “As the city is not in a condition like Delhi yet, we can use this as an opportunity and improve the condition.” pracheta.p@iijnm.org

Kidwai contract nurses continue their protest for equal salary and benefits Manikankana Sengupta

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lmost 200 contract nurses and lab technicians have been protesting at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology since Tuesday against the lack of equal pay and access to benefits. They are hired on a contract basis and not provided with even identity cards. Shamshira Bano, a protesting nurse, informed, “They do not want to put us on the permanent payroll. They suddenly want us

to sit for examinations to become permanent. I have been working here for the past four years. But we have no increase in salary. We all get Rs 15,000 which has increased over the years from Rs. 7,000. They had given written promises that we would be provided identity cards and biometric registrations, but nothing has happened. We have not been going to work for the past three days.” K. Guru, a contract ward attendant said, “I have been working here for 30 years but I

have not been promoted once.” Lingappa Badiger, a staff nurse for more than seven years, said: “Whenever we need to renew the contract, we have to wait for a couple of days during which we are not paid. There has been no increase in my salary. I have been paid Rs 15,000 for years.” Dr K.B. Linge Gowda, director of the hospital said, “They have been asked to move the protest outside the hospital, and police have been informed,” he said. manikankana.s@iijnm.org

Two days before Bengaluru hosts an ISL final for the first time, a huge crowd gathered outside Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday to buy tickets. The ticket-seekers started queuing up at the venue as early as 6am. They became uncontrollable by 10 am, forcing the police to resort to a lathi charge. Bengaluru Football Club (BFC), the host, will face Chennayin FC, the 2015 champions. Eight points ahead of Chennayin FC on the points table, BFC is fancied to win the final. | Credit: Rayan Mitra

Women happy with BMTC ‘Request Stop Service’ Athul. M

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omen in Bengaluru have welcomed the BMTC’s Request Stop Service, an initiative to enhance their safety. Under the ‘Request Stop Service’, introduced on March 8 (International Women’s Day), lone women travelling on late-night BMTC buses will be dropped off at the bus stop closest to their residence. The buses will take a detour, if needed, during the last trip of the day. Shanthi E, a commuter awaiting a bus on M.G. Road, informed The Observer: “Women’s safety should be taken care of. It is a good step by BMTC. I hope they extend the service hours.” According to Manjunath, who runs a mobile accessories shop in Koramangala, “it has never been about the number of buses, or drop off location; it’s been about mentality. The day it changes, women will be safe.” Shyamala S. Maddodi , BMTC PRO, said: “This is a step to en-

hance women’s security. It will be available on all routes. BMTC is planning to install CCTV cameras in more buses to enhance security. We are doing this in the light of a recent incident in which a person was hacked to death in a BMTC bus.” Sayani Mitra, an IT professional who works in Koramangala, said: “I did not hear about it, but it might encourage woman to board buses at night.” Preety Das of Indira Nagar said: “This is a much-needed service, but ultimately it depends on how BMTC manages it. There are lot of attempts by government organizations which see failing miserably.” The Request Stop Service is an addition to BMTC’s other schemes like Indira Sarige, pink seats and Indira asses. While Indira Sarige buses ferry only women and students at low fare, pink seats are reserved for women. Indira passes are issued to women belonging to the unorganized sector. athul.m@iijnm.org


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