Bengaluru News Updates: Purple metro line likely to be operational from October 6

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Bengaluru News Updates: The 144 section of CrPC has been imposed by the Shivamogga district administration in Ragi Gudda area of the town after clashes took place between two communities on Sunday evening. A total of five people were reportedly injured in a stone-pelting incident at Ragi Gudda. Karnataka police are closely watching the situation to prevent any communal clashes in this sensitive town of central Karnataka.

Purple line likely to be operational from Oct 6(PTI File Photo)

The carpooling ban in Bengaluru by Karnataka government has created a row and Bengaluru south MP Tejasvi Surya even wrote to Karnataka CM, asking him to revoke the ban. The Karnataka government on Saturday issued a ban on carpooling services and said a fine ranging up to ₹10,000 will be levied if anyone operates these services.

Though Bengaluru observed less traffic as schools, colleges and IT offices are shut due to the long weekend, the Nandi Hills which is located roughly 50km away from the city went through the traffic choke after thousands of vehicles flocked to the hill station. The videos of people waiting in long lines went viral on social media.

Bengaluru is gearing up for the first ‘Kambala’ event, a slush track buffalo race, which will be held at the Palace Grounds on November 25 and 26, Puttur MLA and convenor of Bengaluru Kambala committee Ashok Kumar Rai said on Saturday.

Follow all the updates here:

• Oct 02, 2023 04:01 PM IST

  BJP slams Karnataka govt, says it failed in maintaining law and order in the state

  Karnataka BJP leaders on Monday accused the Congress government of failing to maintain law and order, following the stone-pelting incident in the district headquarters town of Shivamogga on Sunday evening. Pointing out the "sensitive nature" of Shivamogga, the leaders of the opposition party questioned why no precautionary measures were taken and asked why such an incident took place during Eid Milad procession, whereas the recent Ganesh visarjan and processions went on peacefully.

• Oct 02, 2023 03:43 PM IST

  We want peace: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Shivamogga incident

  Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said that action will be taken against anyone taking the law into their own hands following the stone pelting incident during an Eid Milad procession in Shivamogga.

  "We are here to take action on anyone who takes the law into their hands. We condemn such incidents. We want peace. We don't encourage any such activities. The govt is committed to taking action against the culprits," Shivakumar said while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.

• Oct 02, 2023 03:15 PM IST

  Bengaluru metro's purple line likely to be fully operational from October 6: Report

  The much awaited two stretches on Bengaluru metro’s purple line, Krishnarajapuram – Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri – Challaghatta lines are likely to be operated from October 6, said a media report. With the inauguration of these two crucial metro lines, the entire purple line will be fully operational, expected to decongest the infamous East Bengaluru traffic.

• Oct 02, 2023 02:53 PM IST

  What is BJP government doing in Delhi?: DMK leader TKS Elangovan questions on Cauvery issue

  Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovantargeted the BJP party over the Cauvery water sharing dispute, saying the “BJP is doing politics in the state”.

  Lashing out at Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat over “his inaction on the Cauvery water sharing dispute,” Elangovan said, “What is the central water resource minister doing? What is his duty? What is he doing? Our irrigation minister went there, met him, and gave him a memorandum. What did he do? Until now, there has been no action.”

• Oct 02, 2023 02:32 PM IST

  Karnataka govt plans to increase pension for senior citizens

  Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government will take necessary steps to increase the pension for senior citizens in the next state budget.

  Speaking in this regard, he said that his cabinet colleague Lakshmi Hebbalkar's request to give a ₹2,000 pension to the elderly will be “seriously considered”.

• Oct 02, 2023 02:02 PM IST

  Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversary

  Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office at Bengaluru on the occasion of their birth anniversary.

  CM Siddaramaiah said that both Gandhi and Shastri are role models adding that Gandhi’s model of development is still the greatest today while Shastri was an exemplary leader.

  “It was Mahatma Gandhi who gave us the simple and scientific economic policy that the growth and development of villages is the real development of the country. Gandhi's model of development is still the greatest today. His aim was that even the most marginalized person in society should live with dignity and respect. Thus, he used to dress semi-naked like a person from the lower end of society. Gandhi's life was to walk as he spoke,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X.

• Oct 02, 2023 01:27 PM IST

  Situation in Shivamogga town area peaceful and under control: Police

  The situation in Ragi Gudda area in the district headquarters town of Shivamogga, where prohibitory orders have been clamped after tension during the Eid Milad procession and alleged incidents of stone pelting, is now peaceful and under control, police said on Monday.

  Tension prevailed in the area following alleged incidents of stone pelting on Sunday. The situation is now under control, Shivamogga Superintendent of Police G K Mithun Kumar said. He said, a few people including the police have suffered injuries and some properties have been damaged in the incident. "We have asked those who suffered injuries and property damage, to file complaints. We have already secured some people, who were involved in the incident. There is videography, CCTV camera and drone camera footage, we will nab all those involved and ensure they are punished," he added. The SP also said there is sufficient force including Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), one company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), 900 home guards, 2,000 police staff and senior officials to maintain law and order.

• Oct 02, 2023 12:56 PM IST

  Traffic expected to swell on Mysuru road: Bengaluru police

  Bengaluru police alerted the commuters about possible traffic congestion on Mysuru road as many people might return from long weekend holiday.

  In an X post, Kengeri traffic police said, “There is a possibility of some traffic congestion on the side Mysuru road as many people might return from holiday later this afternoon. Follow traffic rules and stay safe. Your safety is our mission.”

• Oct 02, 2023 12:39 PM IST

  Heavy police force deployed in Karnataka's Shivamogga after communal tensions

  Shivamogga SP Mithun Kumar said that they are set to tackle any kind of incident, after stone pelting was reported in the town on Sunday evening.

  He said, "2 Rapid Action Force (RAF) platoons, 20 Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 500 Home Guard personnel deployed. A case has been registered in connection with the incident. Complaints are also taken from police personnel who have been pelted with stones."

• Oct 02, 2023 12:36 PM IST

  40 arrested in Shivamogga stone pelting incident: Karnataka CM

  Karnataka police arrested a total of 40 people in related to Shivamogga stone pelting incident that took place on Sunday evening.

  "An Eid Milad procession was underway when some miscreants pelted stones. They also threw stones at the police. So far 40 people have been arrested. Our government will not tolerate such activities. The situation is under control now," CM Siddaramaiah said while speaking to reporters.

• Oct 02, 2023 12:15 PM IST

  'Trevor Noah got enough content from Bengaluru,' tells Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

  Reacting to the remarks made by comedian Trevor Noah on Bengaluru in an event, Founder of Biocon Limited Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on Sunday said that Karnataka's capital has provided enough content for the future shows of Trevor Noah.

  Referring to a clip which was surfaced on the social media platform where Trevor Noah was sharing his experiences about travelling in Bengaluru, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw took to X (former Twitter) and said," Bangalore’s shambolic state has provided enough content for Trevor Noah’s future shows. If this does not wake up the administration then we have nothing left to hope for @Jointcptraffic ⁩@BBMPCOMM ⁩⁦@CMofKarnataka ⁦@DKShivakumar."

• Oct 02, 2023 11:46 AM IST

  ‘No need to woo anyone for votes,’ says HD Kumaraswamy

  After several Muslim leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular) resigned in protest against the party’s decision to join the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, party supremo HD Deve Gowda and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday held a meeting at their farm house in Bidadi near state capital Bengaluru.

  “There is no need to woo a community for votes. Everyone knows about my commitment to Muslims. Last time, when Muslims had issues, I had raised my voice and stood by them,” Kumaraswamy said at a media briefing after the meeting with party MLAs, former MLAs and office bearers.

• Oct 02, 2023 11:22 AM IST

  Bengaluru to host Kambala event on Nov 25 and 26

  “Bengaluru Kambala Samithi along with Zilla Kambala Samithi will organise Bengaluru Kambala (Namma Kambala) in Bengaluru on November 25 and 26 at Palace Grounds,” Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai said, addressing a press conference in Mangaluru after holding a meeting with Kambala buffalo owners. Read full story

• Oct 02, 2023 10:50 AM IST

  Nandi hills near Bengaluru choked with heavy traffic

  The traffic woes continue to bother Bengaluru even on long weekends, but the snarl has shifted to the popular hill station Nandi Hills located roughly 50 kilometers away from the city. A traffic gridlock was observed on Saturday and Sunday after huge crowds flocked to the iconic tourist spot during the long weekend

• Oct 02, 2023 10:49 AM IST

  S M Krishna advises four riparian states to formulate distress formula

  Former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on Sunday said all the four riparian states should discuss and formulate a distress formula aimed at putting an end to the Cauvery river water sharing dispute.

  "If we have to put an end to this dispute, it is appropriate for all the four states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry) to discuss and formulate the distress formula, and within its framework appropriate decisions have to be made regarding the management of the river water," Krishna said.

• Oct 02, 2023 10:46 AM IST

  Tejasvi Surya writes to CM Siddaramaiah after ban on carpooling

  In his letter, Surya said the current public transport infrastructure in Bengaluru is not able to cater for its population and reiterated that carpooling could be the solution to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

  “With regards to the public transport of the city, the number of buses operated by the BMTC remained stagnant at 4,500 for the last few years and has increased to about 6,763 now. The fleet size is insufficient to meet the demands of Bengaluru, which has a population size of about 1.10 crore. It is estimated that around 6,000 more buses of various sizes are required for the city," he wrote.