Commercial building gutted in fire in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: A major fire broke out at a four-storey building in the city in the small hours of Monday, fire department officials said.
No one was injured in the incident, they said.
The building, situated on the Banasawadi Ring Road, housed a furniture shop of a prominent brand, an IT company and a coaching centre.
All the furniture and equipment in the building were reduced to ashes.
The fire fighters rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze. They also rescued two security guards trapped there, the sources said.
Though the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, police suspect that it happened due to a short circuit.
A transformer in front of the shop was completely burnt. Investigations are on, police said.
Bengaluru: A four-storey building on Banaswadi was engulfed in flames on Monday early morning.The structure housed a furniture store on the ground & first floors, coaching center on 2nd floor & a software company on 3rd & 4th floors. Short circuit likely to be reason for fire. https://t.co/5SAKbYYxZl pic.twitter.com/t3vQWMvHNy
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
