Latest news with #D.K
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
‘Bengaluru boys will win in Ahmedabad': Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar backs RCB ahead of IPL final against PBKS
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will compete in their fourth IPL final. They will face Punjab Kings at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams are seeking their first IPL title. D.K. Shivakumar expressed confidence in RCB's victory. NEW DELHI: With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to play their fourth IPL final on Tuesday, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has expressed confidence in the team lifting their maiden title. 'I am happy. Bengaluru boys RCB will win in Ahmedabad. After a very long time, they have come to the finals. The government and people of Karnataka are waiting for their victory,' Shivakumar said on Monday. 'A lot of people from Karnataka are going to watch the match in Ahmedabad. Let us hope and pray that they win and come back,' he added. New champion guaranteed as RCB, PBKS face off in final. RCB will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with both franchises chasing their first-ever IPL title. This will also be the first time since 2016 that the league crowns a new champion. PBKS booked their place in the final after beating five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 on Sunday night. The Kings had earlier finished second on the points table and bounced back from their heavy defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1, where they were bowled out for 101 in Mullanpur. RCB, who topped the league stage, will be playing their fourth final, having previously lost in 2009, 2011 and 2016. This season, they defeated PBKS convincingly in the Qualifier after splitting wins in the league stage.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
MSMEs in Karnataka should not rely on other countries like China for machinery or maintenance: DKS
Karnataka's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should not be dependent on any country for machinery and their maintenance, said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar here on Friday. Some MSME units here were dependent on Chinese machinery and now with issues around China and trade barriers introduced by the Donald Trump administration, they were not able to get their machines serviced on time and therefore suffered downtime and economic losses, he said at the opening session of a three-day India MSME Conclave here on Friday. Citing an example of his own brother in this context, he said: 'My brother started a silk-related MSME in Kanakapura and signed an agreement with a Chinese company. But owing to visa issues, technology training could not happen. Still, he is determined to make it work. But, we must reduce dependency on others.' Speaking on the occasion, Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Labour and Employment, said the sector which was the backbone of India's economy has been facing diverse issues such as funding, technology access, and a lack of skill development. 'Governments have to continue investing in MSMEs for the country to grow. The MSME sector accounted for 30% of the GDP, provided employment to over 26 crore youth, and accounted for nearly 45% of the manufacturing output,'' she elaborated. Ms. Karandlaje insisted that there has to be massive investments in infrastructure, especially in proper roads, electricity, water and allied services for the MSMEs to thrive. Such investments should happen not just in big cities but also across tier-2 and tier- 3 cities. Infrastructure woes Acknowledging the critical role played by MSMEs in the economic growth of both the State and the country as a whole, he said the governments have a responsibility to address their concerns and provide necessary support. On the government's ongoing and upcoming investments in infrastructure, he said these include ₹44,000 crore towards metro expansion; ₹37,000 crore to build tunnel roads; ₹17,000 crore for phase one of these two projects, and ₹14,000 crore for elevated corridors. 'In the next four to five years, over ₹1 lakh crore will be invested in Bengaluru's development,' he promised. The conclave is being organised by Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA); the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) and the Peenya Industries Association (PIA) in association with State Bank of India.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Survey reveals growing discontent with govt, BJP ascends
Bengaluru: A state-wide survey conducted by People's Pulse and Codemo Technologies across 10,481 respondents highlights growing dissatisfaction with the state government, two years into its term. Inflation, delays in welfare scheme implementation, and partial loan waivers have contributed to rising anti-incumbency. If elections were held today, the BJP would secure 136–159 seats with 51 per cent vote share, while Congress would fall to 62–82 seats with 40.3 per cent. JD(S) is projected to win 3–6 seats. Support for the BJP grew further after national security developments like Operation Sindoor. Despite this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remains the most popular leader (29.2 per cent), ahead of his deputy D.K. Shivakumar (10.7 per cent). Congress's internal factionalism and corruption allegations have weakened its standing, even as its five welfare guarantees reach wide awareness (97 per cent). However, only the Gruha Lakshmi scheme enjoys strong public support (45.4 per cent). The caste census has drawn mixed reactions—endorsed by some backward communities but distrusted by dominant groups like Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Nationally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the preferred leader (59.1 per cent), with notable support even among Congress voters (37 per cent). Although 48 per cent rate the Congress government better than the previous BJP administration, the survey reveals a growing shift toward the BJP across caste, age, and geographic lines, challenging Congress's 2023 mandate. What people say… "We want jobs, innovation, and liveable cities. What we're getting is broken roads, flooding, and political blame games. Many young people like me believed Congress would bring better governance, but we're seeing slow or no change in core areas. If this continues, youth like me will vote for a party that talks less and delivers more. We're tired of promises — we need performance' Manjunatha T, 26, Nurse "Every time it rains, our roads turn into rivers and commutes become nightmares. We hear about big schemes and record budgets, but we just want basic things to work — clean streets, working drainage, and safe roads. It feels like politicians remember us only during elections. We need less drama and more delivery," Ravi Kumar, 45, auto driver, Vijayanagar "We are thankful for the free bus travel and Gruha Lakshmi scheme. It helps my wife and daughters a lot. But farming costs are rising, and market prices are not fair. No matter who is in power, our struggle remains. They should focus more on helping us sell our crops properly, Thimmana, 51, farmer, Ballari district "I graduated last year and am still looking for a stable job. There are job fairs and announcements, but not enough follow-through. Many of us are ready to work, but the opportunities don't match our skills. We want to stay in Karnataka, but sometimes it feels like we have to leave to grow," Rajesh, 23, B Com graduate, Hubballi.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru floods: Karnataka may ban basement parking in flood-prone areas; Experts flag higher costs, design challenges
Karnataka is considering a ban on basement parking in flood-prone zones of Bengaluru to improve resilience against urban flooding. While real estate experts agree the move could help mitigate waterlogging risks, they caution it may lead to higher construction costs and design limitations for developers. 'While the idea of banning basements is sound from a flood-resilience standpoint, it's unclear whether it will be viable in the long run,' said an urban expert. Basements typically cost twice as much to construct as ground floors. However, replacing basement parking with additional floors above ground may drive up costs even further, due to the need for extended plumbing, elevator systems, and electrical infrastructure. Additionally, such changes could reduce the efficient use of Floor Space Index (FSI), affecting project feasibility, they say. After the recent flooding in Bengaluru, which claimed the lives of two men while they were pumping water out of a basement in BTM Layout, Karnataka deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that the state government is considering a ban on basement parking in low-lying and flood-prone areas. "I am taking a policy decision that wherever there is a low-lying area, we will not allow underground parking facilities in future. We will allow them to build parking spaces at a higher level," he told reporters while on his visit to assess the flood situation across the city. "There is an idea to plan a way to park vehicles on the ground floor, instead of underground. Let people build houses on top of that," he said. This comes amid relentless rainfall that has crippled Bengaluru in recent days, with heavy downpours triggering widespread waterlogging and flooding across the city. From upscale residential areas to major tech corridors, the rains have laid bare the city's fragile infrastructure and poor drainage systems, sparking serious concerns over urban planning and real estate development in flood-prone zones. Also Read: Bengaluru floods: Was the city's Maharaja-era drainage system more effective and in sync with nature? Experts say that eliminating basements may not significantly reduce construction depth. In many cases, foundations still need to be dug to around 6 metres, depending on soil conditions and structural requirements, potentially increasing overall construction costs. 'When a basement is part of the plan, excavation is already accounted for, and since the space is used for parking, there's no need for soil refilling—this offsets some of the construction cost,' said Abhay Gupta, structural consultant. 'Without a basement, however, the excavated area must be refilled entirely, which adds to expenses,' he explained. Experts also noted that basements often cover more area than the actual building footprint, as Bengaluru permits construction up to 2 metres from the boundary wall. "In contrast, ground-level or stilt parking is limited to the building footprint, which restricts capacity. In many cases, a single basement with that extra width can offer the equivalent parking capacity of 2.5 to 3 floor levels," Sarang Kulkarni, managing director, Descon Ventures, said. While basements are typically more expensive to construct, often costing twice as much as a ground floor, adding extra floors to compensate for lost parking can further drive up construction costs due to additional plumbing, elevator, and electrical requirements. 'From a cost standpoint, avoiding basement excavation may seem beneficial,' said Sarang Kulkarni. 'However, this is offset by the reduced ability to fully utilize the Floor Space Index (FSI), which directly affects land value.' FSI, or Floor Space Index, is a key urban planning metric that defines the maximum permissible built-up area on a given plot, effectively determining how many floors can be constructed. Banning basement parking in commercial or retail developments could create significant challenges, experts say. 'Ground-floor space is prime real estate for retail. Without basement parking, that space must be repurposed for vehicles, leaving developers with two choices: build a multi-level car park with retail on the ground floor or position retail between parking levels and office floors above,' said Sarang Kulkarni, Managing Director of Descon Ventures. 'Both options increase the building's overall height.' However, height restrictions—especially in areas near airspace and defence zones like Koramangala, Indiranagar, and North Bengaluru—limit vertical expansion. 'If developers can't utilise the full permissible Floor Space Index (FSI) due to these restrictions, it leads to suboptimal land use. While the basement ban may boost flood resilience, its long-term viability remains uncertain,' Kulkarni said. In contrast, cities like Hyderabad, where FSI limits are more relaxed, allow greater design flexibility. Developers there often allocate the ground and first floors for retail, the second for parking, and the upper floors for office use, creating more efficient mixed-use developments. Also Read: 'Does the area flood?' Bengaluru homebuyers and investors now have fresh real estate worry Experts believe aesthetic concerns about visible parking on lower levels can be addressed, especially in residential projects, by drawing inspiration from global cities. In places like New York, buildings often feature grand ground-floor lobbies and use façade elements such as vertical gardens to screen parking areas. However, construction methods significantly impact feasibility. 'In high-rise residential projects, the Mivan formwork system—known for its speed, monolithic concrete walls, and reduced labour—is commonly used above ground,' said Sarang Kulkarni. 'Basements, however, typically require traditional beam-and-column structures to facilitate vehicle movement, which Mivan isn't suited for due to its continuous wall design.' If parking shifts above ground, developers must blend traditional construction with Mivan formwork, potentially increasing timelines and costs. Another key concern is building height. 'If a project has a 60-metre height cap and 15 metres are used for above-ground parking, only 45 metres remain for residential units. This could reduce the number of floors, affect developer revenues and pushing up apartment prices,' Kulkarni noted. While multi-level parking structures are a possible workaround, they often sacrifice green or open spaces. Experts also warn that property values in low-lying or flood-prone areas could decline, as developers may avoid these zones due to the added challenges of parking and drainage constraints. Experts suggest podium-level construction as a potential solution. Developers can build a raised concrete podium with a sealed, box-like structure beneath it for parking. Ramps can connect this podium to the basement, preventing groundwater seepage while preserving the advantages of underground parking. 'In cities like Mumbai, developers are sometimes granted additional height allowances when basements are used for parking,' said Gupta. 'On larger plots, basement areas can extend beyond the building's footprint, offering more flexibility and capacity—something that's difficult to achieve with stilt or above-ground parking due to zoning restrictions.'
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Decks to be cleared for polls to Greater Bengaluru Authority in four months, assures D.K. Shivakumar
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday (May 16, 2025) said the Karnataka government will make all arrangements for holding polls to the newly created Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in four months. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Mr. Shivakumar, who is also Minister in-charge of Bengaluru Development, said the government will soon take up the issues of 'reservation' and 'division' of the Authority. 'Elections have to be conducted. There is no point in delaying them. Within four months, all the arrangements will be made for conducting the elections,' he said. All-party meeting soon Soon, an all-party meeting will be called and suggestions from leaders of different political parties will be sought on various issues, including division of the Authority. He said members of the Opposition had cooperated with the ruling party in the Legislature and even gave their suggestions on the Greater Bengaluru Authority Bill. A Cabinet sub-committee had also been formed and most of the suggestions given by the Opposition leaders had been accommodated. 'We will take everyone into confidence', Mr Shivakumar said before replying in the affirmative when reporters asked him if elections to the GBA will be conducted this year. 'We have taken a decision to conduct the elections early,' he said. Though new areas had to be included into the GBA, the government had not taken up the issue to avoid delays arising out of seeking permission of the other local bodies like municipalities and panchayats. 'We can add the new areas later,' he said adding that a notification on creation of GBA has been issued on the basis of existing areas. Criticism from Opposition BJP With regard to the critical remarks made by Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok on the creation of GBA, Mr. Shivakumar said the Opposition leaders could have raised their objections earlier. He said the Opposition leaders had given suggestions when the matter was discussed in the Legislature. Pointing out that the Opposition leaders were speaking against GBA because they were in the Opposition, Mr. Shivakmar said Mr. Ashok was an important leader of Bengaluru and the government will respect his views. On the issue of renaming of Ramanagara district, Mr Shivakumar said there has been no delay in the process. 'All the procedures were going on and an announcement in the regard will be made at an auspicious moment,' he said, while adding that the renaming process will be carried out under law. Special session on India-Pak conflict Meanwhile, Mr Shivakumar reiterated the Congress party's demand for a special session of the Parliament to discuss the conflict with Pakistan and the ceasefire between the two nations. He claimed that other countries were interfering in the affairs of India and the country had never tolerated such interference since the time of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. So, a special session of the Parliament should be conducted to discuss the matter, he said.
