Latest news with #KempegowdaInternationalAirport
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hope floats as cabinet to decide on new beneficiaries for Gruha Jyothi scheme
Bengaluru: After refusing to revise eligibility criteria under the Gruha Jyothi scheme and reassess free units of power for newly built houses, energy minister KJ George made a U-turn, saying he would present the issue before the cabinet and find a feasible solution. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the inauguration of an EV charging facility near Kempegowda International Airport on Monday, George suggested that new beneficiaries could be included. This comes barely a week after the minister, during a visit to Ramanagara last week, ruled out revising the eligibility criteria. The scheme, which provides 200 units of free power for all households, completes two years this Aug. Pressure is now mounting on the govt to include beneficiaries who were initially left out of the scheme — one of the govt's five flagship guarantees — and to reassess free units for newly built houses. While rolling out the scheme in 2024, the energy department had assessed consumption of households, based on patterns over a year (2023). Based on this assessment, households consuming less than 200 units per month were covered under the scheme, while those consuming more than that threshold were left out. But the govt had assured citizens who were left out that they could avail benefits a year later — provided they reduce consumption and bring it under the 200-unit ceiling. Similarly, newly built houses which had no history of consumption over the previous year were allowed 53 free units — the state average consumption per month — plus an additional 10% of free power. George had again promised these residents that the govt would assess their monthly average consumption after a year and revise the number of free units. However, with the scheme set to complete two years, there is no clarity yet on rules for new beneficiaries or a decision on reassessing free units. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Radha G, a consumer from Banashankari said, "When the scheme was launched, we were consuming more than 200 units a month. We reduced consumption to less than 200 units over the past year. But when we tried to register for the scheme, Bescom engineers told us that we are ineligible. The govt must include beneficiaries afresh if their consumption is less than 200 units." Krishnakumar, who moved into a newly built house on Hesaraghatta Main Road a year ago, was allowed only 58 units of free power. "Although we have been using less than 200 units over the past year, we are only eligible for 58 free units and are being charged for the other 50 units. Had the govt reassessed usage, we would have been eligible for 110 to 120 free units. It's disappointing," he said. However, minister George told TOI that while the govt is aware of these grouses, his department alone cannot decide on a solution. "The state cabinet must take a call on this after a detailed discussion. We will take this proposal to cabinet in a week or two," George said.
News18
a day ago
- Automotive
- News18
Bengaluru Launches Solar EV Hub With 23 Charging Points And Battery Reuse Tech
Last Updated: The construction of an EV charging hub near the airport has been done keeping in mind the cab drivers and the public who use EVs to travel between the airport and the city. A solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station was unveiled near the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on June 2. Touted as the first of its kind, the solar energy is stored in old car batteries at this EV charging station. The construction of an EV charging hub near the airport has been specifically done keeping in mind thousands of cab drivers and the general public who use EVs to travel between the airport and the city. Energy Minister KJ George inaugurated the facility in the presence of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, BESCOM Managing Director Dr N Shivashankar, B.A.S., and other officials. Speaking at the event, the energy minister said that this is the first EV station in India to be powered by second-life batteries. 'This large-scale EV charging hub, developed through a partnership between Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), can charge 23 vehicles simultaneously. At this station, solar energy is stored in old car batteries. Solar power generated during the day is stored using this battery system and supplied to electric vehicles around the clock," he explained. The energy minister added that the Karnataka government is fully committed to supporting the growing demand for Electric vehicles in the state and expanding charging stations and related infrastructure. 'Karnataka's EV policy further strengthens this commitment. The newly inaugurated EV charging station will greatly benefit cab drivers and the general public using electric vehicles," he said. The charging hub includes a 45-kilowatt solar power system and 100 KWH second-life battery storage capacity. Of the 23 charging points, 18 have fast-charging points and five have slow chargers. Managing Director of Bescom, N. Shivashankar, claimed that this EV station is the first in the country to provide 24/7 EV charging facilities. Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda said, 'It's a matter of pride that a new EV charging station has come up near Bengaluru airport, benefiting cab drivers and EV users. With around 10,000 cabs operating daily—many of them electric—this facility shows Karnataka's continued leadership in EV initiatives," reported Money Control. As per data from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Union Ministry of Power, Karnataka is the first Indian state to introduce an EV policy in 2017. Currently, it is at the forefront of EV infrastructure in the country, with a total of 5,880 charging stations across the state. Of these, around 4,462 EV charging stations are located in the Bengaluru urban district. Karnataka is followed by Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
North Bengaluru to get mega tree park in 2.5 years
The minister directed department staff to ensure all activities comply with the Forest Conservation Act and emphasised that the land must not be diverted for non-forestry purposes. Khandre said the new park located close to Kempegowda International Airport and the upcoming Shivaram Karanth Layout will significantly benefit residents. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared within the next two and a half months and shared in the public domain for feedback. A team of experts and a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed to oversee the preparation and execution of the project. The park is expected to be completed within two and a half years. Khandre also announced that the chief minister will lay the foundation stone after the DPR is finalised, and an initial grant of Rs 20 crore will be allocated to develop the park as an eco-tourism destination. The land currently hosts around 800 trees, including Indian Kino, Gooseberry, Crocodile Bark, Neem, Jamun, and Eucalyptus.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Nepali man with Indian voter ID caught at Bengaluru airport
Bengaluru: A 33-year-old Nepali national was recently caught with an Indian voter ID at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The accused has been identified as Rames Bhadur Bandari, a resident of Yelahanka. Rames booked a ticket to Kathmandu from KIA on Nepal Airlines flight RA 226 on Saturday evening. He reached Terminal 2 by 4pm and showed the Indian voter ID card to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials at the departure gate. The CISF let him in, and Rames went to the immigration officials and produced his boarding pass and the same voter ID. According to a complaint filed by immigration officer Shailendra Kumar Meena, when Rames was asked for the reason to visit Nepal, he claimed he was a Nepali national. He was immediately detained and subjected to interrogation. Rames told officials he has been living in India for 13 years and managed to get the voter ID a few years ago. He also had a Nepali ID proof. A senior police officer said the accused works as a security guard in the tahsildar's office in Yelahanka. "We're verifying if he cast vote in the elections. He said touts helped him get the voter ID. He wanted to go to Nepal as his mother had fallen sick. A case has been registered under BNS Sections 336 (forgery) and 340 (forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine), and he was arrested," the cop said.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Karnataka to build South Asia's tallest skydeck in Bengaluru's Kempegowda Layout
After months of uncertainty and opposition from academics, the Karnataka government has decided to shift its ambitious Skydeck project to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) near Kengeri, Bengaluru. The 250-metre-tall structure, expected to be South Asia's tallest observation deck, will now be constructed in the newly developed layout on Bengaluru's western May 24, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had announced that the state government had decided to relocate its proposed sky deck project to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) near Kengeri. The initial site at Hemmigepura was found to be unsuitable due to its proximity to Kempegowda International Airport. 'We had decided to build the sky deck in Hemmigepura but it may not be possible as it should be at least 20 km from the airport. Hence, we have decided to build the sky deck in Kempe Gowda layout,' Shivakumar had proposed tower, once completed, will offer a 360-degree view of the city and will be the tallest of its kind in South Asia. To put its scale into perspective, the structure will be more than three times the height of Delhi's Qutub Minar, which stands at 73 metres. It will also eclipse Bengaluru's current tallest building, the CNTC Presidential Tower, which reaches approximately 160 metres. The skydeck will be developed over 25 acres of land with an estimated budget of Rs 500 conceptual idea for the skydeck draws inspiration from iconic global structures such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York. The Karnataka Cabinet approved the project as part of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar's broader Brand Bengaluru vision to create a signature landmark for the city. advertisement IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru#Karnataka
