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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PIL in high court challenges Cauvery Aarti
Bengaluru: Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL) by farmer leader Sunanda Jayaram challenging the proposed Cauvery Aarti programme near Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam, the high court Friday ordered notice to the state govt, Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd, and others. A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi directed authorities to submit a detailed response, including measures to ensure safety of the dam, by the next hearing on July 23. Another PIL, challenging a tender to erect an amusement park at the dam, will also be heard the same day. K Boraiah and four residents questioned the May 13 tender notice to establish non-agricultural commercial exploitation in the dam region, covering about 198 acres and a project cost of Rs 2,663 crore. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru During Friday's hearing, the govt told the court that only a tender pertaining to a 120ft statue was finalised, and no decision was taken on constructing an amusement park. But the court asked if the govt had conducted a technical study or impact assessment, or if it had obtained expert opinion regarding the structural safety of the dam. The court even pointed out that in mining-related matters, the govt itself had contended that no activities affecting the environment were permissible within a 20km radius of KRS dam. The petitioner's counsel argued that the authorities had not properly considered implications of its proposals. He also showed some photographs which suggested that some activities are underway, contrary to the claim of the respondents that no work was ongoing. Jayaram contended that the proposal itself is unscientific as the authorities seek to perform Cauvery Aarti with a gathering of 20,000 to 25,000 people and this entails construction of a stadium for seating and parking facilities for 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles. The petitioner claimed these developments could potentially compromise dam safety, cause water contamination, and disturb ecological equilibrium.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Those who want to travel by bike taxi can't be stopped, appellants tell Karnataka high court
Bengaluru: A high court division bench Tuesday began hearing the bike-taxi issue, with appellants emphasising that a person who wants to travel by that mode of transport cannot be stopped. A division bench of acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and CM Joshi is hearing a batch of writ appeals filed by the aggregators and others. They have challenged the April 2 order of the single bench, wherein it was held that they cannot operate as aggregators of bike taxis unless the state govt notifies relevant guidelines to Section 92 of Motor Vehicles Act. Commencing the arguments, senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for two bike owners, argued that the single bench's first finding that a motorcycle can be used as a transport vehicle is incompatible with the observation that it cannot run unless the state forms rules. A person who wants to travel cannot be stopped; everyone wants the cheapest and fastest mode in Bengaluru. It is also a fundamental right to carry on with business under Article 19 (1)(g) of the Constitution. If the law doesn't permit it, it is a different thing. Aggregation is a consequence, he added. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Chinnappa submitted that in 2021, the state govt itself came out with an electric bike policy (e-bikes scheme), allowing such bikes in Karnataka, and in 2024 withdrew it on grounds that a committee in 2019 said it is not a good idea to have bike taxis. At this juncture, advocate-general Shashikiran Shetty submitted that ever since bike taxis have been off the roads, there has been a surge in the number of travellers in Metro and other public transport. However, Chinnappa responded by saying there is no correlation between the two aspects. As the hearing was inconclusive, the bench adjourned it to Wednesday.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru bike taxi riders protest outside Vidhana Soudha to lift the ban, detained
Tension unfolded outside Vidhana Soudha on Saturday as a group of bike taxi riders staged a protest against the ongoing suspension of bike taxi operations in Karnataka. The protest, held without prior permission, led to the detention of several riders by city police. The bike-taxis in Bengaluru were banned due to non-availability of legal frame work. Also Read - BMTC launches express bus services and temple tours in Bengaluru. All you need to know The demonstrators gathered to press the state government for urgent intervention, demanding the revocation of the blanket ban and the introduction of a clear regulatory framework that would allow bike taxis to legally operate in the state. According to police, the riders were swiftly dispersed and taken into custody after assembling outside the state legislature building. A police case has been registered against the protestors for violating public assembly norms and attempting to hold a demonstration in front of Vidhana Soudha without official clearance. The protesting riders stressed that bike taxis are a lifeline for thousands, not only providing affordable transportation but also sustaining livelihoods across the city and beyond. They argued that, instead of banning the service altogether, the government should establish a well-defined set of rules to ensure both safety and accountability for operators and commuters alike. Also Read - Raids expose bars and pubs in Bengaluru using inappropriately dressed women, 19 establishments booked The protest comes in the backdrop of a recent decision by the Karnataka High Court, which upheld an earlier order suspending bike taxi services across the state. On April 2, a single-judge bench had ruled that bike taxis could not operate unless the state government framed specific guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act. The order gave companies six weeks to comply, with the deadline later extended to June 15. Subsequently, Uber, Ola, and Rapido, the major app-based mobility companies, approached the court seeking relief. However, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar declined to grant any stay on the earlier directive, effectively reinforcing the suspension. (With agency inputs)
Hans India
22-06-2025
- Hans India
Bike taxi riders detained during protest at Vidhana Soudha
Bengaluru: 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. 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. 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. 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.
NDTV
21-06-2025
- NDTV
Bike Taxi Riders Detained During Bengaluru Protest Against Ban Order
Bengaluru: 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 in Bengaluru. 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. 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. 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. 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.
