Triumph for Informal Workers: New bus route in B'luru to help 3000+ people with better connectivity
In what can be described as a major triumph for women's collective Alli Serona and for the women of Bengaluru’s informal workforce, BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) has taken cognisance of their demand for a new bus route that will connect approximately 3000 residents living in and around Seegehalli. In a recent poll conducted by the women from the community, over 1131 individuals had expressed their need for a bus stop at Seegehalli, not counting the thousands more who had also put forth their requirements for a bus stop on this route. In a pleasant start to 2024, buses have begun to ply on this route since 3rd January, offering residents of Mallappa Layout, Sonnenhalli, Priyanka Nagar, SBQ, and Medahalli, better connectivity to educational institutions and employment opportunities, impacting their overall quality of life in the city.
On the 11th of January 2024, children and women from Priyanka Nagar and Seegehalli who form a part of the Alli Serona Collective, gathered to ride in the bus as a mark of celebration. Alli Serona, a collective of civil society organizations, ideators, and think tanks working to address the transport needs of women from the informal sector has repeatedly highlighted mobility gaps in the city and also brought together experts and underserved women to co-create solutions like bus routes and walkable footpaths. Based on an audit report by the women from the collective itself, Alli Serona had suggested five critically needed bus routes to BMTC in 2023 and in January 2024, their efforts to plug mobility gaps notched up a big win to kick off the new year.
An elated resident from Priyanka Nagar, Anuradha, who is also an Alli Serona Woman Leader, shares, “Being part of Alli Serona, I've had the privilege to engage with BMTC officials, discussing the underserved bus services in our community. We expressed our transportation challenges, and officials pledged to address them. During one interaction, we met DTO Mr. Avinash, who later visited and assessed the proposed bus route by Alli Serona Women, understanding our needs well. The route from Shivaji Nagar to KR Pura, Seegehalli, and Medahalli now benefits housekeeping workers, high school students, single women, and visually impaired individuals. This route, particularly to Medahalli, serves Seegehalli and Priyanka Nagar, especially children.”
The Medahalli route holds significant importance as it is a crucial gateway for communities, providing access to various key destinations. This route facilitates travel to essential areas such as Hoskote, the International Airport, and Silk Board, and also links to KR Pura, KR Market, and Shivaji Nagar. The newly operational Seegehalli bus route will now also ensure first and last-mile connectivity to women who need to commute to Majestic, which is a central transport hub, KR Market, the largest wholesale market in the city, and Shivajinagar, one of the busiest commercial areas.
“This development brings immense joy and satisfaction. The dedicated efforts of the women in Seegehalli and Priyanka Nagar have borne fruit, and for that, I extend our heartfelt gratitude. Let's unite in celebrating this achievement” said I.S Patil, Senior Community Coordinator at Seegehalli and Priyanka Nagar, Alli Serona Collective.
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Police register case over fake note by Karnataka CM circulating on social media
Bengaluru (PTI): Police on Friday registered a case against an "unknown person" following a complaint from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's office over a fake note circulating on social media, which falsely claimed that a district health and family welfare officer in Mandya had been posted as deputy commissioner of excise in Mysuru.
Seeking action against those responsible, the CMO alleged that the act was carried out with malicious intent to bring disrepute to the chief minister and the government.
Siddaramaiah later posted on 'X', saying, "It is a condemnable and very serious crime that some miscreants have created a fake note from my office and circulated it on social media."
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the Vidhana Soudha police station under Sections 336(3) and 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to forgery, and Section 340(2), regarding forged documents or electronic records and their use as genuine.
In the complaint, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister (Administration) Arun Furtado stated that a note claiming Dr K Mohan, District Health and Family Welfare Officer, Mandya district, had been posted as Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Mysuru Rural, was being circulated on social media and in certain sections of the media.
The complaint said the note carried no official number or date, had not been registered in the e-office of the chief minister’s secretariat, and had not been forwarded to any department.
No transfer or posting order had been issued based on it.
"Since it has been found that such an act was committed with the malicious intention of bringing a bad name to the chief minister and the government, I am directed to request you to conduct a proper investigation in this regard and identify and take immediate legal action against the culprits," the officer said in the complaint.
Earlier in the day, senior BJP MLA Sunil Kumar cited the fake note circulating on social media to target the government, alleging that the purported transfer was a "classic example" of Siddaramaiah’s administration having "lost track."
Pointing out that officials at his office have filed a complaint and that the police will find the culprits and take legal action, the CM wrote on 'X', "Social media users should be careful before believing and sharing such fake news. In today's Photoshop/AI era, sharing WhatsApp information without verifying its authenticity is also a crime."
"We are open to positive criticism but do not tolerate the spread of false news," the CM added.
