Karnataka govt announces Rs 5 lakh compensation to kin of children who drowned in Bengaluru lake
Bengaluru, Oct 23: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a slew of measures for flood relief in Bengaluru, including strict clearing of stormwater drain encroachments.
A compensation of Rs five lakh will be provided from the BBMP to the family of two children who drowned in Kengeri lake on Tuesday, he said.
The Bengaluru development Minister also said that Rs 10,000 compensation has been announced for owners of homes which are flooded.
Temporary housing and food arrangements will be made for those who are displaced.
“We have instructed the officials to clear stormwater drain encroachments across the city without any mercy. We have also started desilting drainages for smooth flow of water, with a loan of Rs 1,000 crore from the World Bank,” he said.
Addressing reporters, he said, “Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda is working on desilting drainages in the city. We have also taken up desilting of many lakes under various schemes. We will shortly call for a meeting of Lake Management Committee.”
“Private individuals have got stay from the court to prevent action against encroachment of stormwater drain and they are not letting BBMP take action. Emergency situations allow us to clear encroachments," he added.
The Deputy Commissioner of BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) and Bengaluru Development Authority have been ordered to ensure all stormwater drain encroachments are cleared without any delay.
"At times like these, our priority is to save the lives of citizens and we will not let court cases come in the way,” he said.
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Air India Express increases flight operations from NE destinations
Guwahati (PTI): Low-cost airline Air India Express has announced an increase in flight operations from three major destinations in the northeast – Guwahati, Agartala and Imphal – as part of its winter schedule.
This is part of the airlines’ expansion of winter services across the country, it said in a statement here.
Air India Express has increased its operations to 106 weekly flights from 63 last winter, from Guwahati.
It provides direct connectivity to eight domestic destinations of Agartala, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur and Kolkata. The airline also provides one-stop connectivity to 18 domestic destinations and six international destinations from Guwahati.
In Imphal, the airline hiked its weekly flights to 34 this season, an addition of 20 over last winter, the statement said.
Since adding Agartala as a station in September 2024, the airline has increased its flights from 14 to 21 weekly, and connects two destinations – Guwahati and Kolkata – directly.
It also offers one-stop connectivity from Agartala to 11 domestic destinations.
“The expansion not only facilitates easier travel for those wishing to explore North East, but also strengthens Guwahati’s role as a vital link with the rest of the country,” Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Ankur Garg said.
“With our fleet now exceeding 90 aircraft and rapidly growing, we are well-positioned to support the evolving needs of emerging Indian cities,” he added.
