Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/11/2025, 10:12:49 AM

Urban heat hits vulnerable communities hardest, inspiring architects Ankritya Diggavi and Sagar Kandal to create the inclusive shelter model ‘Neralu’. In Kannada, ‘Neralu’ means shade, and the Neralu heat shelter model is designed to provide accessible shade for everyone. Interestingly, its design draws inspiration from the improvised shelters created by vulnerable communities to protect themselves from the heat. This working prototype was last year’s winning entry in a heat shelter design contest by ATREE and was exhibited at the Sweat and Concrete exhibition by People First Cities Initiative and other partners. https://citizenmatters.in/heat-stress-outdoor-workers-livelihood-mitigation-photo-essay/

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/11/2025, 9:57:27 AM

Bengaluru’s floods keep getting worse each year. Even before the monsoons arrived, the city was already submerged this year, raising serious questions about mitigation measures. The recent floods also highlight the lack of preparedness by the governing bodies despite being allocated funds. But how do global, and even some Indian cities, manage stormwater efficiently, without going under after every spell of heavy rain? https://citizenmatters.in/from-davanagere-to-copenhagen-how-cities-are-successfully-battling-urban-flood/

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/12/2025, 1:04:36 PM

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:5fc054e0-3a0b-4221-9947-da2ff5efd343

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/12/2025, 8:26:13 AM

From the neighbourhoods of Basavanagudi celebrating ‘Kadlekai Parishe’ (groundnut fair), flower shopping at Malleshwaram, to the renowned ‘Karaga’ in Chickpete, Bengaluru flaunts many micro-cultures tied to communities and shared local narratives. It has also become a melting pot for various culinary cultures and cuisines. The city has shifted from traditional businesses to large commercial complexes and malls in the last two decades. Though the city has gained many titles over the years, from being called the Garden City, Pensioners’ Paradise, to Silicon Valley and Cosmopolitan City, Bengalureans find the idea of globalisation inviting but also extremely challenging. https://citizenmatters.in/hidden-cost-of-progress-bengalurus-identity-crisis-in-an-expanding-city/

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/9/2025, 2:34:28 PM

*Press Release:* *E-Khata Mandatory for Building Plan Approval from July 1, 2025: Maheshwar Rao* The BBMP currently provides online building plan approval through the EoDB-OBPS software. Additionally, the Revenue Department of the BBMP has implemented the E-Aasthi software, through which e-Khatas are already being issued for properties within the BBMP limits. Property data for such holdings is available in the E-Aasthi system. To streamline processes, efforts are underway to integrate the EoDB-OBPS online software used by the Town Planning Department for building plan approvals with the E-Aasthi system used by the Revenue Department for issuing e-Khatas. Starting from July 1, 2025, it will be mandatory to enter the property’s e-Khata/EPID number into the online software and submit the corresponding e-Khata when applying for building plan approval. This integration will enable automated verification of property tax records. With this change, the process of submitting property records separately to the Revenue Department for verification will be eliminated. This move is expected to simplify services provided by the BBMP and facilitate timely building plan approvals. Therefore, from July 1, 2025, submission of an e-Khata will be mandatory when applying online for all building plan approvals, including nambike nakshe. Consequently, the procedure of forwarding property ownership records to the Revenue Department for verification will be discontinued. Furthermore, under the "Trust & Verify" approach, preliminary plan approvals will be confirmed or rejected with valid reasons by the respective Assistant Directors (Town Planning) within a specified timeframe. If this is not done, the system will automatically grant Deemed Approval. In such cases, Joint Directors (Town Planning) at the zonal offices are directed to report to the Zonal Commissioners for disciplinary action against the responsible officers in accordance with applicable rules. For more details, a copy of the official order is attached.

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/12/2025, 1:03:30 PM

*Press Release:* *Report Waste-Related Complaints via WhatsApp to 9448197197 for a “Clean Bengaluru”* *Bengaluru, June 12:* In a bid to ensure Bengaluru remains clean and beautiful, pourakarmikas are constantly striving to maintain hygiene across the city. In addition to regular cleaning, several cleanliness drives are being organized to remove waste dumped by the roadside. Such drives, transform public attitudes and discourage the dumping of garbage on streets and vacant plots, thereby moving towards a cleaner city. Within the BBMP limits, door-to-door waste collection is carried out daily through auto-tippers. However, many residents fail to hand over waste to these vehicles and instead resort to dumping garbage at night or during early hours on roadsides, footpaths, empty spaces, stormwater drains, and other public areas—adversely impacting the city's aesthetics. Additionally, construction debris is also being dumped by the roadside or in vacant lots, along with other unwanted items discarded indiscriminately across the city. To address this issue, permanent measures are being implemented across all wards in the eight zones of the BBMP to curb such dumping. Eliminating "black spots" (frequent garbage dumping areas) permanently is a key objective. To support this mission, a dedicated complaint centre has been established, and a WhatsApp helpline has been introduced. Citizens can now report waste-related complaints through the following channels: > *Dedicated WhatsApp Number for Waste-Related Complaints:* > A dedicated WhatsApp number—9448197197—has been provided for waste-related complaints. Residents may send a message with photographs to this number. Upon receipt, the concerned officials will take necessary action within a stipulated time and update the complainant on the resolution. > *BBMP Helpline – Call 1533:* > Complaints can also be registered by calling the helpline number 1533. > *BBMP Official Website – www.bbmp.gov.in:* > The public can access waste-management-related services through the official BBMP website as well. You can also register a complaint through the Namma Bengaluru Sahaya App 2.0. *"Swachha Bengaluru, Green Bengaluru" (Clean and Green Bengaluru) is our collective goal. The BBMP continues to strive towards maintaining the city's cleanliness, and we urge citizens to join hands with us in this effort,* appealed *Ramamani, Chief Operating Officer, Solid Waste Management, BBMP.* *For further details, the official press release is attached.*

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/13/2025, 8:36:51 AM

With rapid urbanisation and increasing strain on public water supply systems, especially in cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, sustainable water management has become essential. Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) is one of the simplest and most effective methods to address water scarcity, reduce urban flooding, and restore groundwater levels. This guide provides a clear overview of what RWH is, why it matters, how it works, and what it costs. https://citizenmatters.in/rainwater-harvesting-rwh-what-why-and-how-much-bengaluru/

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/9/2025, 2:35:49 PM

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:312cca66-7fdf-4d24-b0e5-69dd3b342137

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

6/9/2025, 12:20:38 PM

14th June, 2025, Saturday | 11:00am onwards at BLR Design Centre We’re back with our Interactive Session of Walk on Bangalore: Between Tanks and Taps – Water Edition 💧 What’s Flowing? Archival Map Dive 🗺️ Water Infrastructure Through Time 🚰 Stories, Systems & Shifts 💬 From ancient tanks to modern taps, join urbanists, designers, and curious citizens as we trace Bangalore’s deep and evolving relationship with water, through a series of rare archival maps, uncovering the layers of the city's water heritage. Discover how water has silently influenced the city's form, function and culture. This event features an engaging exploration of Bangalore’s water systems and its evolution, and an interactive discussion; offering unique insights into the city’s past, present, and future. 📌 Save the date. Spread the word. See you there RSVP here: https://forms.gle/YX3acjCYz8nzoQ7C6

Citizen Matters - Civic updates for the Active Citizen

5/16/2025, 10:52:05 AM

Mumbai experienced four extreme rain events between 2010 and 2020, according to WRI India’s analysis. After the hard lessons learnt during the 2005 deluge, the city corporation tried to bolster flood management measures. But these have not been enough. Engineered solutions with natural components, such as bioswales and constructed wetlands, can help Mumbai build climate resilience, writes Shruti Gokarn https://citizenmatters.in/can-blue-green-infrastructure-fix-mumbais-floods-and-heat-waves/