Latest news with #BruhatBengaluruMahanagaraPalike
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
BBMP to float tender for stray dog microchipping project, for third time
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to float a tender for the third time to microchip stray dogs, even as a charitable trust has moved the High Court to challenge the project. The matter is currently sub judice. According to the tender proposal, the project is estimated to cost ₹3.23 crore. Of this, ₹3.09 crore is allocated for procuring 1,62,817 microchips and ₹14.85 lakh is set aside for purchasing 50 microchip readers. A BBMP official overseeing the project explained that each microchip, measuring around 1–1.5 mm, will be injected into the first layer of a dog's skin near the neck using a hypodermic needle. This procedure will be carried out by specialists working under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. As the official noted, the selected contractor will be required to procure the microchips, which are not manufactured in India, and also provide software for storing and managing the associated data. 'Procurement will take place in phases as we complete implanting the previously procured microchips. We will inform the contractor in advance, and they will be responsible for supplying the next batch,' the official told The Hindu, adding that while there is no fixed deadline, the project is expected to be completed within one or two years. The contractor is also required to provide software services, which the BBMP will access for free for a period of one year. After that, the contractor will submit an annual cost estimate, and the BBMP will subscribe accordingly. According to BBMP officials, only two known contractors, one from Gujarat and one from Mumbai, currently meet the eligibility criteria. Suralkar Vikas Kishor, Special Commissioner (Health and Animal Husbandry), BBMP, stated that the first tender, floated in February last year, received no bids. A second tender was issued later that year and awarded to a contractor, but he failed to meet the software service requirements specified in the tender. Meanwhile, the BBMP conducted a pilot project in which microchips were implanted in 500 stray dogs. An audit conducted 15 days later showed no adverse effects on the dogs, and the chips functioned effectively, according to Mr. Kishor. Each microchip will contain a GPS tracker and a Unique Identification Number (UIN), enabling BBMP officials to locate microchipped dogs. The UIN will store data, including vaccination details, the dog's location, and photographs, all of which will be stored on a server accessible via the software. Animal rights activist Arun Prasad called the project illegal. 'ABC rules do not permit the implantation of microchips in free-roaming stray dogs. They only allow private dog owners to microchip their pets for identification purposes,' said Mr. Prasad. A Bengaluru-based charitable trust has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging the project. The case is currently under judicial consideration.
New Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Departmental inquiry ordered against nine BBMP health officials over alleged Covid bills irregularities
BENGALURU: A departmental investigation has been suggested against nine officials in connection with the alleged irregularities in Covid-related payments and bills in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) during the previous BJP government, the retired Justice Michael D. Cunha committee has recommended. A notice was issued to 28 officers of the corporation due to 'doubts' in the purchase of medicines and medical supplies during the COVID period. It was directed that notices be given to the corporation's engineers, doctors, and officers of the accounts department to provide explanations. After receiving the notices, 28 officials responded with documents. Following verification of the officers' replies, 19 were given a clean chit. However, the department ordered an investigation of the remaining nine officers by BBMP health officials. 'These are officials in the BBMP health department who failed to give clarity over expenses and bills, and hence the matter was escalated to the BBMP Administration Department for a departmental inquiry. If these officials fail to clarify the doubts during the probe by the administration department, action will be initiated,' said Sirajuddin Madani, Chief Health Officer. Notices have also been issued to 15 private companies that supplied materials during the COVID period. The committee has suggested the recovery of Rs 13 crore paid to these 15 private companies as excess. This is not the first time BBMP health officials have landed in controversy. Earlier, Dr Kalpana, Deputy Health Officer in BBMP South Zone, was placed under suspension over approving an inflated bill of Rs 9.72 crore instead of the actual amount of Rs 2.27 crore. The amount was paid to contractors engaged in supplying food to the Indira Canteen. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Officers and Employees Association President, Amruth Raj, stated that it is time the black sheep in BBMP are shunted out. 'The officials involved in COVID and other scams in the BBMP—those involved in dereliction of duty—should be suspended and jailed to keep the BBMP clean,' said Amruth Raj.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BBMP workers end protest after Minister assures action
The workers of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) agreed to withdraw their protest on Tuesday after Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning Byrathi Suresh assured them that their demands would be met. The Minister held a meeting at Vikasa Soudha with A. Amruth Raj, president of the State Municipal Corporation Employees' Association, and Shadakshari, president of the Government Employees' Association. Their demands include comprehensive amendment to the General Appointment Rules of Municipal Corporations, 2011, to consider the employees of the municipal corporation as government employees and provision of group insurance scheme and group provident fund facilities to the officers/employees of the municipal corporations. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Raj said the Minister had agreed to seven out of the eleven demands and gave assurances that the remaining four would also be addressed. Based on this, the workers decided to withdraw their strike. 'We called off the strike on July 13. This meeting served as a reassurance that the demands will be fulfilled,' Mr. Raj said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tenders invited for 16.7 km Twin Tunnel Project linking Hebbal and Silk Board
Amid mounting criticism, B-SMILE, a special purpose vehicle, has floated global tenders for the proposed Twin Tunnel Road between Esteem Mall Junction in north Bengaluru's Hebbal and Silk Board Junction in the southern part of the city. The project will be executed in two segments. According to the tender notice, issued by the Superintending Engineer of B-SMILE, the construction period has been set at 50 months, equivalent to four years and two months. If completed on schedule, Bengaluru residents can expect access to the tunnel road by the end of 2029. Despite opposition from sections of citizens and the Opposition party, the stated aim of the tunnel project is to reduce congestion and address connectivity woes. BOOT model The project will be carried out under the Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model, with a total concession period of 34 years. This includes the 50-month construction period, during which the contracted companies will develop the infrastructure and subsequently operate and maintain it. The first package will cover 8.748 km between Esteem Mall Junction and Seshadri Road, Race Course Junction. The second package will cover 8.748 km from Seshadri Road to Silk Board junction. Each stretch will include two separate tunnels, each with three lanes, featuring entry and exit points along the route. As previously reported by The Hindu, at least eight Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will be deployed for the construction. The estimated cost for Package 1 is ₹8,770 crore, requiring a financial guarantee of ₹43.85 crore from the selected contractor. Package 2 is estimated at ₹8,928 crore, with a required financial guarantee of ₹44.64 crore. The tender document specifies that only contractors registered with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) or equivalent registrations with agencies such as the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Karnataka Public Works Department (KPWD), Railways, Military Engineering Services (MES), National Highway Authority, or other state government bodies are eligible to apply. The technical bids for the project are scheduled to open on September 3.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
10-acre pond to treat water flowing into Jakkur Lake
BENGALURU: Under its Brand Bengaluru initiative, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has developed a 10-acre 'constructed wetland' (waste stabilisation pond) near the Jakkur lake in Byatrayanpura to treat waste water before it enters the main water body. As per officials, the site will treat about 7 million litres per day of waste water. 'The 163-acre lake, including the wetland, was in the Bangalore Development Authority's custody. In 2015, the lake was transferred to the BBMP. However, 30 acres of lake area were encroached and coconut palms were planted. The 30 acres were later reclaimed and fenced. As there was no wetland near the lake, a 10- acre artificial wetland was created and six months ago, work to remove the slush and deepen the wetland was taken up. The wetland will arrest the solid particles and reduce the potassium and nitrogen levels and increase the dissolved oxygen in the lake. The total project was completed with a Rs 5 crore budget,' said an official. The official also added that more plants will be added to the wetland in coming days to improve the water flowing into the main water body.
