Kalaburagi: A gas cylinder explosion at Saptgiri Hotel near Sri Sharanbasaveshwara Lake in Kalaburagi has left many injured, with four individuals in critical condition. The explosion occurred while a pipe connection was being made to another cylinder after the previous one was empty.
The injured include the cook Sasikala, Ramesh Firozabad, their daughter Ambika, and sons Mallinath, Rakesh, Shankar, Gurumurthy, Prashanth, Satyavan, Apparai, Mallinath, Vitthalana, Mahesh, and Lakshman. Four of the injured are in alarming condition and have been admitted to a local hospital for treatment. Nine others suffered minor injuries.
The explosion, which took place in the kitchen on the ground floor, caused significant damage to the hotel building, shattering the windows.
Commissioner of Police R. Chetan Kumar and ACP Kannika Shikhiwal visited the site to conduct an inspection.
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Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that a water tariff hike in Bengaluru is imminent, with a potential increase of one paisa per litre.
The revision, he stated, is necessary to fund upcoming phases of the Cauvery water supply project. However, he assured that the government is committed to ensuring that it does not burden the public.
Shivakumar emphasized that the increase is essential to address the massive losses incurred by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is reportedly losing over Rs 1,000 crore annually. "The tariff revision is unavoidable. We must raise the water rate by at least one paisa per litre. However, we have instructed BWSSB to implement this increase in a way that minimises the impact on citizens," he said.
Despite criticism over recent back-to-back price hikes on various services and commodities by the state government, Shivakumar stood firm on the need for the water tariff revision. He added that before the hike takes effect, there would be efforts to raise awareness among the public about the importance of water conservation.
Shivakumar also responded to the BJP's opposition to the tariff increase. He asserted that when they reduced electricity prices, the BJP remained silent. “If they are concerned about citizens' livelihoods, they should first focus on reducing the costs of essentials like petrol, diesel, and animal feed," he said. He further pointed out that despite recent price increases, the prices of milk and curd in Karnataka remain lower compared to other states.