Latest news with #IRR
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Former DICT chief warns of Konektadong Pinoy Bill risks
A former secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology has warned of the potential threats to national security posed by the Konektadong Pinoy Bill. Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan II, also a former senator, said the measure lacks sufficient security mechanisms, particularly in safeguarding the country's digital infrastructure. Honasan was quoted in a statement issued by the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators who shares his concerns. He noted the absence of a clear legal process for national security vetting of Data Transmission Participants, saying the implementing rules and regulations alone would be inadequate to ensure proper scrutiny and accountability. 'Without a prior legally mandated national security vetting process in allowing DTP, the IRR alone cannot provide the necessary level of scrutiny and accountability,' he said. He added the bill also fails to adequately regulate foreign-controlled firms, especially in sensitive operations such as cable landing stations and satellite gateways. He also described the current provisions as overly lenient and lacking sufficient safeguards for critical infrastructure. Honasan further said the bill does not provide clear and legally grounded penalties for companies that violate regulations. Several groups have earlier urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to address the risks found in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which is now awaiting his signature to become a law. Earlier this month, DICT issued clarifications to address the issues regarding the bill. It added that it welcomes public dialogue surrounding the measure. — AOL, GMA Integrated News
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao
Bengaluru: BBMPchief commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Saturday reaffirmed the civic body's commitment to improving walkability by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. He was speaking at the launch of a report on Saturday that detailed two years of collaborative efforts to transform one of the city's most critical urban corridors—the 7.5 km stretch of the Inner Ring Road, from Indiranagar to Koramangala. A project by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B PAC), an NGO that aims to improve governance in Bengaluru, the report titled 'IRR Street: Standstill to Active' showcases the methodology, recommendations, implementation status, and impact of citizen-led collaborations. 'If you increase the footpaths, you will definitely increase the carrying capacity. It will reduce many other issues and promote safety. This is something we are committed to,' added Rao, who also promised to allocate sufficient funds to support walkability initiatives. 'We believe that creating people-friendly streets requires ongoing collaboration, feedback, and accountability,' said Revathy Ashok, managing trustee and honorary CEO of B PAC. According to her, since June 2023, B PAC has worked closely with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety through a data-driven and participatory process. 'This effort is not just about fixing one road—it's about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible. We thank all our partners and volunteers and urge more Bengalureans to join us in making streets across the city truly people-centric,' she said. As part of the launch—which was attended by key figures in the civic volunteering space—B PAC also organised panel discussions with dignitaries and government representatives to discuss the next steps for implementing the recommendations outlined in the IRR report. According to the report, the 7.5-kilometre stretch of the IRR—from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—has long struggled with traffic congestion, road safety issues, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency. The IRR serves as a major connector between Koramangala, Domlur, Ejipura, and Indiranagar. It also connects to Indiranagar Metro Station, which sees the second-highest footfall in the city after Majestic. Some achievements of the citizen-led initiative include the addition of nine buses to the MF5 route (Indiranagar–Koramangala), resulting in 58 additional trips. Over 4,300 tonnes of debris, 130 construction barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage were cleared from medians and footpaths along the stretch. To improve drainage and mitigate flooding, the report recommends constructing shoulder drains with kerb inlets (a component of the stormwater drainage system) every 5–7 metres—especially in flood-prone zones—instead of the current 30-metre intervals being implemented on site.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
‘June 2026 is a realistic deadline for Ejipura flyover completion': BBMP chief Maheshwar Rao
The much-delayed Ejipura flyover may not be completed by March 2026 as earlier anticipated, with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao now indicating that June 2026 is a more realistic target. Speaking at a Bengaluru Political Action Committee event during the launch of the Inner Ring Road (IRR) report on Saturday, Rao said that while the project is being closely monitored by a dedicated team and casting work is underway at a steady pace, several technical and logistical challenges remain. 'If we look at a production rate of 30 segments per month, the work could technically be completed in five months. But factors like casting capacity and workforce levels might affect that timeline,' he said. 'We're now in July and realistically looking at February or March (2026) for completion (of the civil construction) – provided that other components fall into place,' Rao added. Land acquisition continues to be a bottleneck, especially around two critical parcels near St John's Hospital and St John's Hostel. While some resolution has been achieved through discussions with stakeholders, BBMP is also considering acquiring additional land to improve the commuter experience. Rao further stated that maintenance planning and final designs are being reviewed to avoid future delays. 'If all issues are resolved, we are confident of staying on schedule. But as of now, I would say a completion around June next year is more feasible,' he noted. The Ejipura flyover, a 2.38-km elevated corridor along Ejipura Main Road, has already seen significant progress. Out of the 762 precast segments required, 437 have been installed. The remaining 325 are yet to be cast and erected. BBMP had earlier instructed the contractor to ramp up progress by completing at least 45 segments a month to meet the March 2026 target. During an inspection last week at the segment casting yard in Sakalavara village, Rao reiterated the urgency of the project and asked engineers to expedite ramp construction near the two land parcels. Work on the flyover was restarted in November 2023 for the second time, with an initial deadline set for December 2025, as stated in the Extension of Time (EOT) clause in the contract. The initial tender for the project was awarded in 2017, but the contractor failed to make progress. The government terminated the contract and floated a fresh tender. After multiple failed attempts, the project was eventually awarded to BSCPL Infrastructure Limited.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao
Bengaluru, BBMP chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Saturday reaffirmed the civic body's commitment to improving walkability by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. He was speaking at the launch of a report on Saturday that detailed two years of collaborative efforts to transform one of the city's most critical urban corridors—the 7.5 km stretch of the Inner Ring Road, from Indiranagar to Koramangala. Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao A project by the Bengaluru Political Action Committee , an NGO that aims to improve governance in Bengaluru, the report titled 'IRR Street: Standstill to Active' showcases the methodology, recommendations, implementation status, and impact of citizen-led collaborations. "If you increase the footpaths, you will definitely increase the carrying capacity. It will reduce many other issues and promote safety. This is something we are committed to," added Rao, who also promised to allocate sufficient funds to support walkability initiatives. "We believe that creating people-friendly streets requires ongoing collaboration, feedback, and accountability," said Revathy Ashok, managing trustee and honorary CEO of B PAC. According to her, since June 2023, B PAC has worked closely with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety through a data-driven and participatory process. "This effort is not just about fixing one road—it's about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible. We thank all our partners and volunteers and urge more Bengalureans to join us in making streets across the city truly people-centric," she said. As part of the launch—which was attended by key figures in the civic volunteering space—B PAC also organised panel discussions with dignitaries and government representatives to discuss the next steps for implementing the recommendations outlined in the IRR report. According to the report, the 7.5-kilometre stretch of the IRR—from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—has long struggled with traffic congestion, road safety issues, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency. The IRR serves as a major connector between Koramangala, Domlur, Ejipura, and Indiranagar. It also connects to Indiranagar Metro Station, which sees the second-highest footfall in the city after Majestic. Some achievements of the citizen-led initiative include the addition of nine buses to the MF5 route , resulting in 58 additional trips. Over 4,300 tonnes of debris, 130 construction barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage were cleared from medians and footpaths along the stretch. To improve drainage and mitigate flooding, the report recommends constructing shoulder drains with kerb inlets every 5–7 metres—especially in flood-prone zones—instead of the current 30-metre intervals being implemented on site. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Committed to increasing footpaths: BBMP chief commissioner Rao
Bengaluru, Jul 26 (PTI) BBMP chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao on Saturday reaffirmed the civic body's commitment to improving walkability by expanding pedestrian infrastructure. He was speaking at the launch of a report on Saturday that detailed two years of collaborative efforts to transform one of the city's most critical urban corridors—the 7.5 km stretch of the Inner Ring Road, from Indiranagar to Koramangala. A project by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B PAC), an NGO that aims to improve governance in Bengaluru, the report titled 'IRR Street: Standstill to Active' showcases the methodology, recommendations, implementation status, and impact of citizen-led collaborations. 'If you increase the footpaths, you will definitely increase the carrying capacity. It will reduce many other issues and promote safety. This is something we are committed to," added Rao, who also promised to allocate sufficient funds to support walkability initiatives. 'We believe that creating people-friendly streets requires ongoing collaboration, feedback, and accountability," said Revathy Ashok, managing trustee and honorary CEO of B PAC. According to her, since June 2023, B PAC has worked closely with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, the Bengaluru Traffic Police, and the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited to improve bus reliability, walkability, and road safety through a data-driven and participatory process. 'This effort is not just about fixing one road—it's about proving that data, design, and dialogue can reshape public spaces to be safer, cleaner, and more accessible. We thank all our partners and volunteers and urge more Bengalureans to join us in making streets across the city truly people-centric," she said. As part of the launch—which was attended by key figures in the civic volunteering space—B PAC also organised panel discussions with dignitaries and government representatives to discuss the next steps for implementing the recommendations outlined in the IRR report. According to the report, the 7.5-kilometre stretch of the IRR—from Indiranagar KFC Junction to Madiwala Masjid in Koramangala—has long struggled with traffic congestion, road safety issues, inadequate pedestrian access, missing crossings, and poor bus frequency. The IRR serves as a major connector between Koramangala, Domlur, Ejipura, and Indiranagar. It also connects to Indiranagar Metro Station, which sees the second-highest footfall in the city after Majestic. Some achievements of the citizen-led initiative include the addition of nine buses to the MF5 route (Indiranagar–Koramangala), resulting in 58 additional trips. Over 4,300 tonnes of debris, 130 construction barricades, and 129 tonnes of garbage were cleared from medians and footpaths along the stretch, it said. To improve drainage and mitigate flooding, the report recommends constructing shoulder drains with kerb inlets (a component of the stormwater drainage system) every 5-7 metres—especially in flood-prone zones—instead of the current 30-metre intervals being implemented on site. PTI JR SSK view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
