
Shobha Karandlaje urges new passport seva kendra in Bengaluru North to ease overcrowding
Also Read - R Ashoka urges deportation of Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals amid LeT-linked arrests in Karnataka
In a letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday, Karandlaje, who represents the Bangalore North parliamentary constituency, highlighted the severe crowding and long wait times at the existing passport centres located in Lalbagh and Marathahalli.
'Both PSKs are overwhelmed by high volumes of applicants, which is causing undue delays and inconvenience—especially for residents of northern Bengaluru,' she noted in her letter.
She proposed that the new centre be established in northwestern Bengaluru, which would help reduce the burden on the existing facilities and improve service efficiency for passport-related services, including new applications, renewals, and documentation updates.
MP urges for toll fare review
In a separate communication, the minister also flagged issues concerning the recent toll hike on NICE Road, calling it arbitrary and burdensome. In a letter to Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Karandlaje urged a review of the revised toll rates, which came into effect on July 1.
Also Read - Bengaluru unfazed as nationwide labour strike sparks protests across Karnataka: Report
She warned that the increase in toll charges could lead to a ripple effect on public transport fares, particularly on BMTC routes that use NICE Road stretches, such as those servicing Banashankari, Taverekere, and Electronics City.
'Despite the steep toll fees, basic safety features are lacking on NICE Road—there are no proper road markings, accident zone reflectors, signboards, or adequate CCTV surveillance,' she pointed out, demanding that commuters receive value and safety for the tolls they pay.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NDTV
30 minutes ago
- NDTV
"His Dedication Towards India Continue To Inspire": PM Modi Pays Tribute To Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary at 'Sadaiv Atal', the Samadhi (memorial) dedicated to the Bharat Ratna awardee and veteran leader. In a post on X, PM Modi said Vajpayee's commitment to India's progress continues to inspire efforts to build a developed and self-reliant nation. "Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India," the post read. सभी देशवासियों की ओर से पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री भारत रत्न अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर सादर नमन। राष्ट्र के चौतरफा विकास को लेकर उनका समर्पण और सेवा भाव विकसित और आत्मनिर्भर भारत के निर्माण में योगदान के लिए हर किसी को प्रेरित करने वाला है। — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2025 Union Ministers JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, also visited 'Sadaiv Atal' to pay their respects. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister. In his message, Singh recalled Vajpayee's lifelong efforts to build a strong and prosperous India. "I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution," Rajnath Singh posted on X. I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2025 According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, the central Samadhi platform at 'Sadaiv Atal' comprises nine square black polished granite stone blocks, capped with a central 'Diya'. The number nine represents Navarasas, Navaratras and Navagrahas. The memorial is enclosed by nine bas-relief walls with inscriptions of Vajpayee's prose and poetry, which can be read while taking a "pradakshina" (circular walk). The initiative to develop the memorial was taken up by the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, which was formed by eminent persons. Stones from various parts of the country were used in its construction, symbolising "unity in diversity". The project was completed by the CPWD, with the entire cost borne by the Atal Smriti Nyas Society, the Ministry added. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, was elected prime minister three times. He was the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term in office. He served briefly from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and then from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. Vajpayee also served as India's External Affairs Minister from 1977 to 1979 in the cabinet of Prime Minister Morarji Desai. The veteran leader, poet and statesman passed away at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi on August 16, 2018. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
30 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PM Modi pays tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 7th death anniversary
A poet and statesman, Vajpayee was prime minister for over six years between 1998 and 2004 and is credited with pushing economic reforms that paved the way for a period of high growth Press Trust of India New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his seventh death anniversary, and said he continues to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India. Modi said on X, "Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India." Modi and several other dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, later visited his memorial 'Sadaiv Atal' here to pay tributes to the BJP stalwart. A poet and statesman, Vajpayee was prime minister for over six years between 1998 and 2004 and is credited with pushing economic reforms that paved the way for a period of high growth. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Laid strong foundation for India's development, good governance: Leaders pay tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee
New Delhi: As India marked the seventh death anniversary of former Prime Minister and 'Bharat Ratna' Atal Bihari Vajpayee, tributes poured in, praising his dedication to national service and good governance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and paid tributes to the former Prime Minister. "Former Prime Minister, founding member of the BJP, Bharat Ratna revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji laid a strong foundation for development and good governance while advancing value-based politics. Atal ji was a leader who never compromised on principles and ideology, even if it meant losing his government," HM Shah posted on X. "Under his leadership, India conducted successful Nuclear tests in Pokhran and delivered a decisive response to enemies in the Kargil War. Through his thoughts and actions, Atal ji will continue to inspire us all to walk the path of national service. On the death anniversary of revered Atal ji, I pay my respects to him," he added. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also took to X and paid heartfelt tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, calling him an "inspiration for countless workers" and "an ideal exemplar of good governance." "Revered Atal ji dedicated his life to the creation of a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant India. From the establishment of the BJP to the building of a robust India, he remained steadfastly committed throughout his life. His thoughts and actions for public service and national upliftment are exemplary for millions of BJP workers," he added. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India will remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee's "tremendous" contributions to the country. "I pay homage to Atalji on his Punya Tithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution," Rajnath Singh wrote on X. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also took to social media and posted, "Join the nation in paying homage to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his Punya Tithi. His lifelong contributions to nation-building and advancing India's strategic interests will forever be cherished." Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also took to social media and paid homage to the "unparalleled figure in Indian politics," Atal Bihari Vajpayee, calling him an "eloquent orator" and a "skilled politician." "Your unique personality, vibrant oratory, and nationalist ideology gave a new direction to Indian politics. Your life is an exemplary model of patriotism, dedication, and service, which will always inspire us to move forward on the path of nation-building," Uttarakhand CM wrote on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid his heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister, calling him "people's leader" and "fearless guardian of national duty." Taking to X, he posted, "He was the architect of integrity in Indian politics, the voice of gentleness and restraint in dialogue, the embodiment of morality in national policy, and the flagbearer of national duty. Revered Atal ji was truly a symbol of political dedication. We offer countless salutations to his sacred memories!" The BJP also took to social media and paid tributes to its founding member, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "A humble tribute on the death anniversary of the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, the pathfinder of millions of workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, our source of inspiration, former Prime Minister, and Bharat Ratna," the BJP wrote on X.