INDIA
From BBMP to GBA: Will it make Bengaluru great again?
Deputy CM and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar say five new city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority will enhance administration and offer citizen-friendly services. But critics argue the state government is centralising power and weakening local governance.
INDIA
Bengaluru’s urban railway upgrade to connect key tech corridors on slow track
Byappanahalli-Hosur and Yeswantpur-Channasandra track doubling projects, along with Cantonment–Whitefield quadrupling, aimed at running more trains and improving services in Bengaluru, have missed multiple deadlines.
BUSINESS
State-run BEML has plans to make Tunnel Boring Machines to cut dependence on China
State-run BEML has recently invited Expression of Interest for design consultancy to develop indigenous Tunnel Boring Machines.
BUSINESS
Bike taxi row: Rapido turns interim facilitator of two-wheeler mobility in Karnataka, won't earn profit
In a letter seen by Moneycontrol, Roppen Transportation, which runs Rapido, has told state transport department it has voluntarily adopted a temporary model limited to lead generation for bike taxis and will not be earning any profit.
BUSINESS
Karnataka bike taxis: Rapido rolls out ‘Bike Direct’, Uber and Ola halt services again
The Karnataka High Court on August 22 clarified that it had not passed an order allowing bike-taxi aggregators to operate and that the state was free to act, without harassing bike owners
BUSINESS
Karnataka to use AI platform to monitor schemes worth over Rs 100 crore
The Karnataka Monitoring and Evaluation Authority is tasked with evaluating schemes with an outlay of over Rs 100 crore
INDIA
Bengaluru water board to deploy AI-powered robotic solution to plug pipeline leakages, floats tender
Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will deploy AI-powered miniature robots to patrol water pipes, detect leaks, and carry out repairs.
BUSINESS
After two months, Rapido and Uber resume bike taxi services in Karnataka
Bike taxi services were banned in Karnataka since June 16. Moneycontrol on August 21 found that Rapido and Uber were showing bike taxi options and accepting bookings.
INDIA
After rolling out guarantees, Karnataka to hire consultant for ‘innovative capital funding’ in five departments
The move comes amidst the CAG warning that Karnataka’s five poll guarantees are straining resources, widening deficits and adding to debt.
INDIA
Nearly a year after unveiling, first Vande Bharat sleeper train yet to start passenger service
Unveiled in September 2024, the first Vande Bharat sleeper train manufactured by BEML is yet to commence passenger services, reportedly due to quality issues.
INDIA
Akasa Air plane hit by ground-handling equipment at Bengaluru airport
An Akasa Air spokesperson told Moneycontrol there were no passengers or employees near the aircraft at the time of the incident. The aircraft is undergoing an inspection and the incident is under investigation
INDIA
19 km, 32 minutes: First-hand account of Bengaluru Metro’s RV Road–Bommasandra ride
Moneycontrol boarded the first ride on Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line, which began commercial operations on August 11, a day after PM Modi inaugurated the corridor connecting the tech hub of Electronics City.
BUSINESS
PM Modi inaugurates Yellow Line; Bengaluru Metro’s network expands to 96 km
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 project worth Rs 15,610 crore and flagged off three Vande Bharat trains from KSR Bengaluru City railway station
INDIA
Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line: 19-km RV Road–Bommasandra ride likely to cost Rs 60
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is planning to operate trains at 25-minute frequency with stoppages at all stations. The maximum fare from Purple and Green Lines to Yellow Line is Rs 90.
INDIA
Bengaluru Metro’s Yellow Line set for August 10 launch; fully automated driverless operations to begin later
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) officials told Moneycontrol that fully automated (GoA-4) operations on the Yellow Line (RV Road–Bommasandra) will begin only six months after GoA-2 services commence, following regulatory clearances.
INDIA
Bengaluru Metro's Yellow Line: 19-km took 8 years to complete; cost escalated to around Rs 400 crore per km
PM Narendra Modi to inaugurateYellow Line connecting RV Road and Bommasandra on August 10. Moneycontrol has accessed the report submitted by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS), who inspected the line between July 22 and 25.
INDIA
Mid-air scare: Bengaluru - Kolkata Air India Express flight develops hydraulic snag
According to Bengaluru airport sources, flight IX 2718 operating from Bengaluru to Kolkata reported a technical issue shortly after takeoff and returned to KIA
BUSINESS
TCS layoffs: Karnataka labour department calls for conciliation meeting on Aug 6
Sources told Moneycontrol that the Labour Department is likely to issue a notice to TCS management following a complaint filed by KITU over the recent layoffs.
INDIA
Bengaluru's Electronics City Metro: Safety inspection from July 22 to 25; PM may inaugurate in August
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) ropes in firm to produce documentary of the Yellow Line ahead of likely inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2025
BUSINESS
After Karnataka, four more states request merchant transaction data from UPI apps
The move is likely to promote transactions in cash in other parts of the country.
INDIA
Bengaluru auto rickshaw fare hiked: Minimum fare now Rs 36
Minimum fare revised to Rs 36 for the first 2 km, up from Rs 30; per km rate increased from Rs 15 to Rs 18. New fares effective from August 1.
TECHNOLOGY
Karnataka’s GST evasion notices prompt shopkeepers to turn down UPI payments
Karnataka, which accounted for 7.73% of the country’s total UPI transactions in May, ranked second only to Maharashtra (13.19%)
INDIA
Frustrated by Karnataka govt’s delay, transport federation to launch own app for auto, taxi and bus drivers
Following earlier union-backed apps like Namma Yatri and Nagara, the Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Associations — which represents 65 transport associations across the state — is now launching its own ride-hailing app.
INDIA
Bengaluru’s Electronics City Metro: 3 trains, 7 stations, BMRCL charts August launch plan
The fully elevated 19-km Yellow Line, connecting RV Road and Bommasandra with 16 stations, was originally scheduled for completion in December 2021 but has missed multiple deadlines.
