Bengaluru MP urges Centre to intervene in Railway infrastructure delays
One of the major concerns raised was the stalled Carmelaram Road Over Bridge (ROB), which remains just 35% complete due to delays in land acquisition by BBMP. The incomplete project has led to the closure of the Carmelaram–Gunjur Road, causing severe inconvenience.
Mohan also pointed to the underutilisation of the Panathur Road Underbridge (RUB), which, remains non-operational due to pending approach road. He proposed introducing a new superfast train between Bengaluru and Mumbai, noting that existing options like the Udyan Express take over 21 hours.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Online Gaming Bill tabled in Lok Sabha by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday tabled The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha , amid protests by Opposition. The lower house, being briefly chaired by PC Mohan, was adjourned till 2 PM soon after the Bill was introduced. The cabinet on Tuesday had reportedly approved this legislation which will impose a blanket ban on online games with a monetary component, noting they lead to suicides due to financial losses besides addiction among children and the youth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Sit Down Before You See What He Looks Like Now 33 Bridges Undo What does the Bill say? According to the draft, anyone offering online money gaming services in violation of the law will face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to ₹1 crore, or both. Those found advertising such services could face up to two years of jail and/or a fine of up to ₹50 lakh. Banks and financial institutions facilitating transactions for money games will also be liable to penalties, including up to three years in jail or a fine of ₹1 crore. Repeat offences attract stricter punishment, with jail terms between three and five years along with higher fines. The Bill, however, does not criminalise players of online money games, treating them as victims rather than offenders. Live Events The proposed law also seeks to establish a statutory regulatory authority with powers to determine whether a game qualifies as an online money game. All platforms will have to register and comply with the rules set by the authority. The Bill defines an online money game as one played by a user by 'paying fees, depositing money or other stakes, in expectation of winning in return of money or other stake, irrespective of whether such game is based on skill, chance or both.' It explicitly excludes eSports and online social games such as casual entertainment or skill-based formats that do not involve monetary stakes. Officials said the legislation aims to address fragmented regulation in the sector and tackle concerns around gambling, financial exploitation, mental health risks, and illicit activities such as money laundering. Instances of severe financial distress and even suicides linked to online money gaming were cited during cabinet deliberations. At the same time, the Bill seeks to promote the eSports ecosystem, recognising that global competitiveness in this space could boost innovation, provide opportunities for Indian startups, and position the country as a hub for game development. Industry warns of consequences The online gaming industry has raised alarm, warning that the proposed blanket ban could trigger large-scale job losses and the shutdown of companies. In a joint letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF) and the Federation of India Fantasy Sports (FIFS) said the Bill would 'destroy over 2 lakh jobs, result in over 400 companies shutting down, and weaken India's position as a digital innovator.' They cautioned that legitimate platforms would be forced to close, pushing crores of users towards illegal matka networks, offshore gambling sites, and unregulated operators. 'This move will strike a death knell for a legitimate, fast-growing sector that has been contributing significantly to the economy,' the letter said. The industry bodies highlighted that online skill gaming has grown into a ₹2 lakh crore sector, generating ₹31,000 crore in annual revenue and over ₹20,000 crore in taxes. The sector has been growing at 20% CAGR and was expected to double by 2028. India's gamer base rose from 36 crore in 2020 to more than 50 crore in 2024, while foreign direct investment in the sector crossed ₹25,000 crore by June 2022.
Hans India
7 hours ago
- Hans India
LoP slams Congress over pothole-ridden roads
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led state government over the alarming condition of Bengaluru's roads, riddled with potholes that have become a nightmare for commuters. Citing a media report, Ashoka posted on social media platform 'X', calling the city 'Broken Bengaluru, not Brand Bengaluru.' He ridiculed the government's claims of development while citizens continue to struggle on unsafe roads. 'Potholes everywhere, but dreams of tunnels underground—this is Congress' concept of Brand Bengaluru,' Ashoka remarked, accusing the ruling party of neglecting basic civic responsibilities. He pointed out that rains, coupled with BBMP's inefficiency, have turned the roads into 'death traps.' According to him, there is not a single pothole-free road in the city. 'Under the Agara flyover, you cannot even spot the road. Bus stops, offices, and residential complexes are all surrounded by damaged roads,' he said. Highlighting the risks, Ashoka alleged that accidents have become routine in the city, with motorists losing balance, patients facing difficulties, and residents suffering from back pain due to poor road conditions. 'Daily travel has become torture,' he added. Targeting Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ashoka asked: 'What is the self-proclaimed creator of Brand Bengaluru doing? Instead of fixing potholes, he is dreaming about underground tunnel roads.' Taking a dig, he quipped that Shivakumar perhaps wants people to live underground since the surface roads are filled with craters. Ashoka urged the government to focus on ensuring safe, motorable roads instead of making hollow promises. 'This is not Brand Bengaluru. This is Congress' Broken Bengaluru,' he concluded.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Janaagraha gives Greater Bengaluru Governance Act the thumbs down
BENGALURU: The recently approved Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024 (GBGA), got a score of 3.4 on 10 from Janaagraha, a civil society group, on effective governance, said the report released on Tuesday. For the assessment, Janaagraha, compared the GBGA with the Brand Bengaluru Committee- GBG Bill, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Act 202, and the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976. The teams analysed the GBGA on 33 parameters and noted that it scored barely half as effective as the other Acts and bills. They noted that the GBGA makes some advances in municipal finance and staffing, but fails on critical aspects of planning, political leadership and citizen participation. They also chalked out a roadmap for the government to follow, highlighting three pathways. The list of suggestions in the road map included, establishing city corporations, completing the ward delimitation and reservations by March 2026, creation of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Planning Committee and selection of mayors, ward committee members and detailing their functioning, mandating area sabhas for neighbourhood-level engagement and ensuring financial and administrative autonomy of city corporations. Srikanth Viswanathan, Chief Executive Officer, Janaagraha, said the GBA is a net positive move, but the GBGA is poorly drafted. The original draft of the Brand Bengaluru committee was better. 'We have recommended 46 specific actions to make the GBGA work for Bengaluru's citizens. The Karnataka government has a golden opportunity to pioneer metropolitan governance in India, along with decentralised participatory governance. Its handling of the GBGA and its recent track record do not inspire confidence. Civil society, business and academia in Bengaluru should mobilise into a collective and ensure this opportunity is not lost,' he said. Adding to this, Santosh Nargund, Director, Policy Engagement, Janaagraha, said that Bengaluru has been without an elected local government for nearly five years and this prolonged vacuum is denting the city's stature as a global metropolis.
