Karnataka government bans private, personal vehicles at Nandi Hills
The Karnataka government has announced its decision to prohibit private and personal vehicles from entering Nandi Hills, a popular weekend destination located 60km from Bengaluru, known for its heavy traffic congestion. Instead, the government plans to introduce electric buses to transport tourists.
This initiative is part of the tourism department's strategy to transform Nandi Hills into a one-day tourism destination within the next 6-8 months. The goal is to eliminate vehicular traffic in the area, creating a safe and pleasant environment for travelers to appreciate the scenic beauty and historical significance of the location. Additionally, there will be an option for adventurous tourists to access Nandi Hills via a cable car.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the cost of a cable car ride may range from Rs 250-300 per person. Kapil Mohan, Additional Chief Secretary, stated, "We are developing Nandi Hills as a tourism destination for Bengalureans, along with the 9th-century Bhoga Nandishwara temple, featuring night lighting and a sound-and-light show. The development approach is ecologically sensitive, with a focus on heritage, archaeology, and adventure tourism."
To enhance safety in what is considered an accident-prone area, authorities had already imposed restrictions on motorcycles and four-wheelers entering the 2km stretch connecting the hills to the plains during New Year and other major holidays. To further ensure the well-being of visitors, the government plans to prohibit private vehicles from accessing Nandi Hills and provide a fleet of small electric buses for transportation from the foothills to the summit.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
