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Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bike taxi riders detained during protest at Vidhana Soudha against suspension of services
A group of bike taxi riders protesting outside the Vidhana Soudha here on Saturday against the suspension of its operations following a Karnataka High Court directive, were detained by the police here. They sought urgent government intervention to lift the blanket ban and introduce a regulatory framework to govern bike taxi services . According to the police, soon after they gathered in front of Vidhana Soudha, they were detained and dispersed from the spot by the police. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Arroio Do Sal (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo A case has also been registered against them for violating guidelines and attempting to protest in front of Vidhana Soudha without any prior permission. The riders urged the state government to introduce a clear policy that would allow them to resume operations while addressing safety and regulatory concerns. Live Events They stressed that bike taxis are an important part of Karnataka's transport ecosystem, providing jobs to thousands. Riders believe that with the right rules in place, bike taxis can continue to benefit everyone. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Earlier this month, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court refused to stay an earlier single-judge order that suspended bike taxi services in the state. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, was hearing appeals filed by Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (which operates Ola ), and Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (which operates Rapido), among others. The companies had challenged the April 2 ruling that directed them to halt bike taxi services within six weeks. The deadline was later extended till June 15. The single judge had observed that such services cannot operate unless the state government notifies specific rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru: BMTC plans non-AC express bus service with fewer stops to cut commute time
In a bid to offer faster public transport options for long-distance commuters, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is preparing to roll out a fleet of non-air-conditioned express buses that will make fewer stops and take advantage of city flyovers to shorten travel times, Moneycontrol reported. Unlike regular non-AC buses, the upcoming service, likely to be launched under a new brand, will come with slightly higher fares, the report further added. However, it will still accommodate women passengers under the state's Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel to women across Karnataka. 'We are working on route plans for these express services. Take Chikkaballapur, for instance, we already operate buses on that route, but the journey takes longer due to too many halts. These new buses will skip low-ridership stops and stick to major points, using flyovers where possible,' a senior BMTC official was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol. Areas like Attibele, Harohalli, Devanahalli, and Nelamangala are also under consideration for these services, based on emerging demand and ongoing analysis of passenger data. (Also Read: Bengaluru civic body engineer caught red-handed taking ₹10 lakh bribe, arrested) The BMTC move comes after app-based bike taxi services came to a grinding halt across Karnataka on Monday after the state's transport department enforced a High Court directive suspending their operations. Major ride-hailing platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido removed the bike taxi option from their apps, following the latest legal setback. The move came after a division bench of the Karnataka High Court declined to stay a previous order that had suspended such services in the state. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed that aggregators are now bound to follow the court's ruling. 'Three months ago, the court ruled that bike taxis are illegal. It initially gave six weeks, and then another six weeks on request. Now that 12 weeks have passed, the aggregators must follow the High Court order,' he told PTI. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, was hearing appeals filed by Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (which runs Ola), and Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (which operates Rapido), among others. The bench refused to intervene, effectively putting a pause on all bike taxi services in the state. The crackdown has sparked concern among daily commuters and gig workers, many of whom relied on bike taxis as a faster, affordable mode of transport or source of livelihood. (With agency inputs)
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Bengaluru: BESCOM Clarifies Smart Meter Rule After PIL Alleges Forced Installations
The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) has informed the Karnataka High Court that smart electricity meters are only being installed in new households, and it is not mandated for existing consumers. The clarification came during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Karnataka Vidyuth Sene and others, who allege that BESCOM is putting pressure on consumers to replace functioning static meters with smart ones. Petitioners raised concerns that smart meters are being made as compulsory, despite KERC guidelines making them optional. They further stated that the procurement process lacks transparency, with meters reportedly priced higher than in other states (where they are distributed at Rs 900/unit). Consumers are allegedly being forced to bear replacement costs, even when current meters work fine. Legal Update A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi has issued notices to: The Karnataka Government, BESCOM, and Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing. What Petitioners Want Quashing of circulars enforcing smart meter rollout. Clear adherence to KERC regulations. Transparency in meter procurement. Protection for consumers with working static meters. As of now, existing BESCOM customers in Bengaluru are not required to switch to smart meters.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Smart meters only for new homes, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd tells Karnataka high court
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Bescom) told high court that installation of smart meters is applicable only to new houses and not existing electricity connections. The clarification came during a hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Karnataka Vidyuth Sene and others. The petitioners contended that consumers were being compelled to shift to smart meters despite existing ones functioning properly. They also questioned the procurement process, stating smart meters were being offered at higher rates, whereas other states had distributed them for around Rs 900 per unit. The petitioners argued as per Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) regulations, smart meter installation is optional. However, recent circulars and tender notifications allegedly make the transition compulsory. After briefly hearing the matter, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi issued notices to the state govt, KERC, and Bescom. The hearing has been adjourned. The petitioners have sought quashing of the circulars, adherence to KERC's regulations, and compliance with transparency laws in public procurement. They also requested that consumers with working static meters should not be forced to bear the cost of replacement.
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
HC receives stampede case documents, seeks English translation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court received on Thursday all relevant documents relating to its petition on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede incident that claimed 11 lives. When the matter came up for hearing, the documents in Kannada were submitted in a sealed envelope before a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty assured the bench that an English translation would be provided in two days. This will also be submitted in a sealed envelope, the court said. It further directed that all official communications, both offline and online, from stakeholders concerned be kept in the custody of the Chief Secretary of Karnataka. The matter was posted for further hearing on June 17. The stampede that occurred during the celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) historic 2025 IPL victory over Punjab Kings on June 3, had claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people, prompting the HC to take cognizance on June 5. The court had issued a notice to the Karnataka government to investigate the cause and propose preventive measures. AG Shetty had requested for a sealed-envelope submission, stating that in the pending bail petition being heard concurrently, any statements made in the case were being used by the petitioner. The court permitted Shetty to file the reply in a sealed cover, emphasising safe custody by the Registrar General.
