The Karnataka State Newspaper Delivery Workers Accident Benefit & Welfare Scheme is one social security scheme that they can avail of in times of crisis. To ensure that all vendors are fully on board with this scheme, in collaboration with the Karnataka Labour Department, we are organising a workshop to help newspaper delivery vendors to register in this scheme.
Soon after they posted about the ritual on their personal social media accounts, friends began to become part of their activity. In a span of one month, five to six members started to head to Cubbon Park for a silent reading every week. The duo then opened an Instagram account titled Cubbon Reads, which now has more than 48,000 followers.
The positive news is that repairs have been successfully carried out on the eastern side of the railway bridge (flyover side), eliminating vibrations and putting an end to the shattering noise that had been causing distress to residents. As the fix was done by the civic body, the residents were surprised to see that there was no noise coming from the metal gratings.
Residents now heavily rely on private tankers, which are becoming more expensive with longer waiting times due to rising demand. With inadequate rains, their water situation is heading towards a severe crisis that needs urgent attention. Residents added that UGD pipelines covering 3,800 roads spanning 480 km were laid in these wards in 2017–18, proposing water supply in 2020.
Mohammed Shoaib, a resident of the area, told Bangalore Mirror that the footpath along Ambedkar Medical College Road has been in bad shape for a long time. The broken path hinders safe movement for everyone in the vicinity, raising concerns about accessibility and safety.