Latest news with #BMRCL
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Hans India
Bangalore Metro Purple Line Service Pause on June 22 for Maintenance
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has an important message for metro riders in Bengaluru. They said the Purple Line of the Namma Metro will stop running for a short time, as reported by The Hindu. This is because of planned repair work between Halasuru and Trinity stations. So, trains will not run between M.G. Road and Baiyappanahalli from 7 am to 9 am on Sunday, 22 June. BMRCL said this short break is needed to do the repair work safely and to keep passengers safe and comfortable. During this time, trains will run normally on other parts of the Purple Line — from Challaghatta to M.G. Road and from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield (Kadugodi). The Green Line trains, which run from Madavara to Silk Institute, will not be stopped. Full train service between M.G. Road and Baiyappanahalli will start again after 9 am.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
KMF to open 8 Nandini outlets at Metro stations: DKS
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Wednesday that Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has been instructed to open Nandini outlets at eight metro stations in Bengaluru. This follows after BMRCL had floated a tender inviting applications to open stores at 10 metro station locations, to which only Amul responded. Speaking to reporters near his official residence at Kumara Park, Shivakumar clarified that KMF had not applied in the initial tender process. 'BMRCL had floated a global tender for setting up retail outlets at metro stations. Only Amul submitted a bid and has been granted permission to open two outlets. Since it wouldn't be appropriate to shut down already opened stores, we have now asked KMF to apply, and I have directed BMRCL to allot the remaining eight locations to Nandini outlets,' he said. Shivakumar also spoke about a range of civic and governance issues, including an upcoming special meeting of party MLAs in Bengaluru. Discussions covered party organisation, the upcoming BBMP elections, and the reorganization of municipal wards under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). He noted that while discussions with Congress leaders had taken place, consultations with opposition leaders were still pending before a final decision would be made. On solid waste management, the DCM announced the launch of a new helpline for reporting garbage dumping. 'Citizens can now send photos of garbage sites to the helpline. We promise to clear the garbage within a week,' he said, adding that funds were being allocated to MLAs to repair potholes and improve road conditions in their respective wards. Shivakumar also unveiled plans for a major initiative titled the E-Khata Ownership Record Drive starting July 1. The pilot project will begin in the constituency of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. 'We've prepared 25,000 E-Khata ownership documents that will be delivered to citizens at their doorstep. Bengaluru has 25 lakh properties, but only 5 lakh owners have uploaded necessary documents so far. The remaining 20 lakh will be covered under this campaign,' he said. He confirmed that this would be a full-fledged public awareness campaign, involving advertisements, door-to-door outreach, and appeals to private property owners to regularize their documentation. Commenting on road works under the White Topping scheme, Shivakumar said he has personally inspected the quality of works underway in several areas. He also responded to concerns about tree falls during rains, stating that BBMP officials are not idle but are working based on priority. When asked about granting 'B Khata' ownership rights, the Deputy CM confirmed that discussions have taken place in the cabinet. 'We are examining the legal aspects, and an official decision will be announced soon,' he concluded.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Bengaluru Metro Tickets Soon Bookable via Rapido and Other Mobility Apps
Bengaluru Metro users can soon book tickets on Rapido and other apps, as reported by Moneycontrol. Rapido has started testing this feature. These apps will offer a 20% discount on the first Metro ticket. Another app like Tummoc is also testing Metro ticket bookings to offer commuters a seamless ticket booking experience. BMRCL is working with the ONDC platform. This will let users book tickets on many apps. These include Google Maps, Namma Yatri, and Redbus. The official launch will be next month. As of April 2025, almost half of the users used smart cards. Others used tokens or QR codes. BMRCL currently works with Paytm and Amazon Pay for tickets and recharges. In the future, users will book their whole journey in one app. This includes the first mile, the Metro ride, and the last mile. All with a single ticket.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fresh row erupts over Amul kiosks at Bengaluru metro stations
A political slugfest has erupted after the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) signed a license agreement with Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMFL), which manages the Amul brand, enabling it to establish kiosks across key metro stations in the city. The opposition — Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — has accused the government of using the state's Nandini brand to only win the elections. The BMRCL signed a license agreement with Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMFL), which manages the Amul brand, enabling it to establish kiosks across key metro stations in the city, including Indiranagar, Trinity, Majestic, Banashankari, and Jayanagar. Amid criticisms over the decision, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said that the BMRCL had issued a global tender, and Amul was the sole applicant. 'BMRCL had called for a global tender, and Amul was the lone applicant. We have instructed KMF to submit its application to BMRCL. KMF will open Nandini outlets in eight metro stations,' he said. As Amul has already opened two outlets, Shivakumar stated that closing them would be inappropriate. Instead, he directed BMRCL to allow the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which manages Nandini, to set up stalls at the remaining eight stations. The move has reignited the debate between Amul and the KMF's flagship brand Nandini. 'For us, both Nandini and Amul are equal. Whoever pays the rent will be allowed to operate,' a BMRCL official told PTI . Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (Secular), a former Congress ally, and the BJP seized the opportunity to target the Congress, accusing it of abandoning the Nandini brand after using it for political mileage in the 2023 assembly elections. In a post on social media, JD(S) alleged that Shivakumar had compromised 'Kannadiga pride' for financial gain. 'More than 10 metro stations in Bengaluru have been allowed to sell milk products from outside the state. The Congress used the Nandini brand, the pride of our farmers and all Kannadigas, for its promotion (and) forgot about it after the election,' the party said. BJP MP PC Mohan said: 'Ahead of the 2023 Karnataka assembly election, Congress falsely accused BJP of favouring outsiders. But now, the same Congress government, which oversees BMRCL's operations and maintenance, has enabled Amul kiosks at 10 Metro stations to displace Nandini. A classic case of hypocrisy.' The controversy has revived the broader debate about support for local farmers and dairy producers in Karnataka. A similar controversy erupted in early 2023 when Amul's entry into Karnataka's milk market was projected by the then-opposition Congress as a threat to the state's flagship Nandini brand. Tensions over Amul's presence in Karnataka first escalated in December 2022, following Union home minister Amit Shah's visit to KMF facilities in Mandya. It triggered concerns among farmers and political parties about a possible attempt by the Gujarat-based dairy giant to expand its footprint at the expense of Nandini. During his visit, Shah called for cooperation between Amul and KMF, suggesting joint efforts could lead to primary dairies in every village within three years. He also mentioned the possibility of technical support from Amul to Nandini. With inputs from PTI
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Amul-Nandini row: No bias in allocation of kiosks at Bengaluru Metro stations, says BMRCL
Bengaluru: Commenting on the row over the allotment of stalls to Amul at Bengaluru Metro stations, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Wednesday clarified that no preference was given to any party in the allocation process. The clarification comes amid criticism over the allotment of 10 stalls to Amul, with JD(S) and Kannada activists alleging that the state is promoting Amul at the expense of the local brand Nandini and the state government pointing out that Metro is operated by the Centre and they should question it in this regard. However, following the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that he would instruct BMRCL to reallocate 8 out of the 10 stalls given to Amul. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, BMRCL's Chief Public Relations Officer, Yashwanth Chavan, said, 'Shops and stalls within Bengaluru Metro stations are allotted through a tender process. Amul secured 10 stalls through this process.' 'If Nandini participates in future tenders, we will allot stalls to it as well. We do not give preference to anyone. The 10 stalls were allotted to Amul for a period of five years with a monthly rent of Rs 7 lakh. Nandini did not participate in the recent tender invited by BMRCL,' he clarified. 'Retail outlets are allotted strictly through a bidding process. Had Nandini applied through the tender, we would have considered it like any other applicant,' he added. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday accused the government of not showing any interest in participating in the tender process to open kiosks in Bengaluru Metro stations. Ashoka claimed, 'The Congress party, which used the Nandini brand name during its election campaign, now seems determined to destroy it after coming to power.' "It abruptly transferred KMF Managing Director, M.K. Jagadish, who had shown great enthusiasm and commitment in expanding the Nandini brand's market through several high-demand products like readymade idli and dosa batter, and whey protein," Ashoka stated. "Now, the government has shown no interest even in participating in the tender to set up dairy outlets at Bengaluru's metro stations," he said. Responding to the charges, Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy stated that the Opposition parties, BJP and JD(S) should know that the Metro is operated by the central government and they should question them in this regard. However, the Congress government on Wednesday announced that it has issued directions to the BMRCL to permit the opening of Nandini milk kiosks at selected Metro stations in the state capital that were allotted to Amul. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru Development Minister, has stated that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) which sells Nandini products, has been instructed to apply to the BMRCL to open outlets at Metro stations and that he has also directed Metro officials to permit Nandini outlets at eight out of the 10 proposed locations. Responding to questions from the media near his official residence here on Wednesday, Shivakumar, when asked about Amul opening outlets at Metro stations, said, 'BMRCL had called for tenders, but apart from Amul, no other entity applied. KMF, too, had not submitted an application. We have now directed KMF to apply. Out of the 10 locations for which tenders were invited, Amul has applied in the global tender and opened outlets at two locations.' 'It would not be appropriate to shut down the Amul outlets, which are already open. I have instructed that KMF should be allowed to open outlets at the remaining eight locations,' Shivakumar stated. It can be recalled that, BMRCL had signed a licence agreement with M/s Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, popularly known as Amul, to set up 'Amul Retail Kiosks' at 10 Metro stations in Bengaluru. The Amul kiosks were to come up at Pattandur Agrahara, Indiranagar, Benniganahalli, Biyappanahalli, Trinity Junction, Sir M Visveswaraya, Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Station Majestic, National College, Jayanagar and Banashankari Metro stations. The announcement in this regard had stated that these kiosks will sell the entire range of Amul's dairy products, chocolate, potato-based snacks, organic products and oil. The JD(S) and the Kannada activists had raised objections to the opening of Amul kiosks at Metro stations when Karnataka has its own brand, Nandini. The Kannada activists demanded that the state government withdraw the permission given to Amul kiosks and prioritise Nandini kiosks instead.
