Latest news with #BESCOM
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
New home construction crisis in Karnataka
Bengaluru: A recent Supreme Court ruling prohibiting the provision of electricity, water, and sewerage connections to buildings lacking Completion and Occupancy Certificates (CC & OC) has created a major crisis for new home construction across Karnataka, particularly in urban areas like Bengaluru. The decision has left over 3 lakh building owners in limbo, many of whom are either halfway through construction or preparing to begin. The ruling applies to all new buildings and halts utility services unless both certificates are secured — a situation that has now put government departments under pressure to respond quickly. While existing local municipal laws require CC and OC for final approval, the Electricity Act of 2003 does not mandate these certificates as prerequisites for connection. This legal contradiction has prompted concerns that even sheds, small homes, and village structures might be denied essential services due to technicalities. High Court advocate Sridhar Prabhu, who has closely studied the issue, has written to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Law Minister, suggesting that the government issue a revised clarification — allowing utility connections first, with CC/OC to follow. He noted that the Supreme Court's directive, issued on December 12, 2024, has been in effect for over six months, but the state has failed to respond with actionable solutions. He warns that failure to amend state and municipal laws (BBMP, KMC, BESCOM) could deprive thousands of citizens of basic amenities, despite investing heavily in legal construction. Prabhu recommends that the government urgently clarify via a simplified order that utility services can be granted prior to the issuance of CC/OC — and that local bodies can take action later if these certificates are not secured. 'How can a structure without electricity, water, or sanitation be certified as livable?' he questioned, urging the state to draft legislative amendments to protect the rights of genuine homeowners while remaining within the framework of the Supreme Court's ruling. If not resolved immediately, this legal contradiction could halt real estate and housing development across the state — with no clear workaround in sight.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru commuters brace for toll hikes on elevated expressway starting July 2025: Report
Starting July 1, 2025, commuters on the Bengaluru Elevated Expressway, which runs from Central Silk Board to Electronics City and further toward Attibele near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border, will need to pay higher tolls. The revised rates are based on inflation-linked adjustments using the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as of March 31, 2025, The News Minute reported. Bengaluru elevated expressway toll hike: At the Attibele toll plaza, charges apply only to four-wheelers and larger vehicles. (Parveen Kumar/ HT Photo)((Representative image)) The hike affects both the elevated portion (8.765 km to 18.750 km) and the ground-level stretch extending 33.130 km up to Attibele, the report stated. Under the new toll structure, cars, jeeps, and vans will now pay ₹ 65 for a one-way trip, ₹ 95 for a same-day return, and ₹ 1,885 for a monthly pass, according to the report. ALSO READ | BESCOM announces 7-hour power outage across Bengaluru on Sunday. Check areas list: Report Two-wheelers, allowed only on certain stretches, will be charged ₹ 25 per single trip. Buses and trucks face a sharper hike, with charges of ₹ 175 for a single journey and ₹ 5,275 for a monthly pass. Multi-axle vehicles (MAVs) must pay ₹ 350 per trip and ₹ 10,550 monthly. At the Attibele toll plaza, located at the 32.7 km mark, charges apply only to four-wheelers and larger vehicles. Cars will be billed ₹ 40 per trip and ₹ 1,130 monthly. MAVs will need to pay ₹ 265 per trip and ₹ 7,915 for a monthly pass. Meanwhile, two-wheelers continue to be exempt at this toll point. ALSO READ | Bengaluru to get new stadium with 60,000 seating capacity, says DK Shivakumar. More details These revised tolls have been released by Bangalore Elevated Tollway Pvt Ltd (BETPL), the agency overseeing the operation and upkeep of this section of National Highway 44 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the report added.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Karnataka: BESCOM makes smart meters mandatory for new, temporary connections in rural areas from July 1
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 28 (ANI): Starting from July 1, the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has made it mandatory for all new and temporary electricity connections in rural areas under its jurisdiction to have smart meter installations, as mandated by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). According to an official statement from the company, smart meter deployment in the urban areas of BESCOM's jurisdiction, including Bengaluru city, commenced on February 15, 2025. With this latest directive, the initiative is now being extended to BESCOM's rural regions also. Applicants for new or temporary electricity connections can purchase smart meters from BESCOM-authorised outlets and proceed with connection formalities, according to the statement. 'KERC had issued guidelines on smart meter implementation on March 6, 2024, and installations have since been carried out in phases,' the release added. Smart meters, which differ from traditional models, are equipped with a GPRS/RF-based communication system for data collection and offer server and cloud connectivity. They utilise Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology, which enables direct communication between consumers and BESCOM by gathering electricity usage data. Users can monitor real-time electricity usage, voltage, and power factor through a mobile app and access recharge options. The release stated that people can make advance payments and recharge for their desired duration, allowing them to use electricity as needed. During a power outage, electricity can be restored immediately upon payment of the bill. BESCOM is also set to launch a digital portal aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in the consumer grievance redressal process, as announced by N Sivashankar, Managing Director of BESCOM, in May. The MD was addressing a workshop organised jointly by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and BESCOM, or the office bearers and members of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) at the KEB Engineers Association Hall. 'To strengthen consumer rights and improve accountability, a dedicated digital platform is being developed for managing consumer complaints. The Chief General Manager of Corporate Affairs has been entrusted with overseeing the grievance redressal process,' Sivashankar said. He added that, as directed by the KERC Chairman, CGRFS has been constituted at the district level, comprising a Superintendent Engineer, an Executive Engineer, and independent members. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
BESCOM announces 7-hour power outage across Bengaluru on Sunday. Check areas list: Report
Power supply will be interrupted in several areas of Bengaluru on Sunday, i.e., June 29, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) said, according to The Hindu. These power disruptions are expected primarily between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm, potentially leading to outages lasting up to seven hours in some areas. Bengaluru experiences more power cuts during the weekends. (HT File) ALSO READ | Bengaluru power supply company warns of 6-hour outages in these areas today. Read full list The power agency is reportedly undertaking some scheduled quarterly maintenance works, due to which areas coming under the 66/11 kilovolt (kV) A station are expected to be affected. The BESCOM is known to schedule more outages during the weekend when the overall load on the grid is significantly lighter, as many residents are on leave from work. ALSO READ | These areas in Bengaluru in for possible 7-hour power outage today. Check full list: Report Areas expected to be affected In an official update, the BESCOM said the following areas might observe disruptions in electricity: Seshadri Road, Kurubara Sangha Circle, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar 1st Cross, parts of 2nd Cross, Crescent Road, Seshadripuram, Vinayaka Circle, Kempegowda Road, Tank Bund Road, Subedar Chatram Road, Lakshmanpuri Slum Area, Cubbonpet, Anand Rao Circle, Race Course Road, Chalukya Circle, High Grounds, Malleswaram, and parts of Seshadripuram. ALSO READ | Guards assault residents over power cut complaint in Greater Noida society | Video Recently, scheduled power cuts took place on June 24, impacting several areas in Bengaluru. Power providers like BESCOM and the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) regularly implement these outages across the city to support ongoing projects and maintenance tasks. These include tree trimming, undergrounding of overhead cables, the Jalasiri 24x7 water supply project, reconductoring of high-tension (HT) lines, servicing Ring Main Units (RMUs), repairing and replacing HT connections, system upgrades, and other necessary repairs.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Karnataka to roll out smart meters from July 1
From July 1, consumers seeking new and temporary connections in most districts of south interior Karnataka will have to shell out Rs 4,998 for smart meters. Officials of Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) and Chamundeshwar Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd (CHESCOM) said smart metres are being rolled out for new and temporary connections from July 1, as per the Karantaka Electricity Regulation Commission guidelines. The districts in which the smart meters are being introduced include Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Kolar, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapur and Davanagere. 'Smart metres were first started in Bengaluru on a pilot basis. Now it is being expanded across the state in a phased manner,' said BESCOM Managing Director Shivashankar N. An energy department official explained that though the companies involved in the tendering process have been different, all efforts are being made to ensure that the rates of the smart metres are more or less on par. This will be done to ensure there are no discrepancies and further questions or allegations. The implementation of smart meters in urban areas under the jurisdiction of BESCOM, including Bengaluru city, had started on February 15, 2025.
