Author: ADAC GTMasters

In a decisive move to curb illegal encroachments, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has reclaimed more than Rs 704.3 crore worth of land across the city through 14 demolition drives carried out between July and December last year. The operation, which saw the removal of unauthorized RCC structures, sheds, compound walls and industrial units, reclaimed over 25 acres of encroached land in key residential and commercial zones. Background and Context The BDA’s mandate is to safeguard and manage land earmarked for public infrastructure, road widening, and planned residential layouts. Over the past decade, rapid urbanisation in Bengaluru has led to a surge…

Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has reclaimed over Rs 704.3 crore worth of encroached land in 14 demolition drives between July and December last year, clearing more than 25 acres across the city. The drives targeted unauthorized RCC buildings, sheds, compound walls and industrial structures that had sprung up on land earmarked for layouts, roads and infrastructure projects. Background / Context Encroachment on government‑acquired land has long been a thorn in the side of Bangalore’s urban planning. As the city expands, developers and residents often occupy plots before official approvals are finalized, creating a patchwork of illegal structures that threaten planned infrastructure and…

Vice‑President CP Radhakrishnan addressed a packed auditorium at the CMR Institute of Technology in Whitefield on Wednesday, urging students to reject drugs and use social media responsibly. In a speech that echoed the nation’s growing concern over substance abuse and digital well‑being, he called for a “drug‑free campus” and urged young people to take control of their online lives. Background / Context India’s youth, now the largest demographic group in the country, face mounting pressures from academics, career prospects and social media. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, drug‑related offences involving young people rose by 12 % in 2024, with cannabis,…

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan addressed a packed auditorium at the silver jubilee celebrations of CMR Institute of Technology in Whitefield, urging students to reject drugs and exercise caution on social media. In a speech that blended moral exhortation with practical advice, he launched a new Vice President drug free campaign aimed at safeguarding the nation’s youth. Background / Context India’s drug‑related deaths have climbed steadily, with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting 1,200 drug‑related fatalities in 2024 alone. The rise is most pronounced among college students, where peer pressure and easy access to substances create a perilous environment. In response, the…

In a landmark move aimed at easing the financial burden on patients with a rare but potentially fatal neurological disorder, the Karnataka government has announced that Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for Guillain‑Barré Syndrome (GBS) will now be covered under the state’s Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB‑ArK) health insurance scheme. The decision, unveiled by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, marks the first time a state‑level insurance plan has included this expensive, life‑saving treatment. Background and Context Guillain‑Barré Syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to rapid muscle weakness and, in severe…

In a bold move that could reshape the city’s visual identity, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has announced a sweeping overhaul of the Bengaluru hoarding rules, slashing the mandatory spacing between billboards from 175 metres to a mere 50 metres. The change, effective immediately, is set to flood the city’s streetscape with a denser, more vibrant advertising presence, while also tightening enforcement and introducing a host of new digital and environmental mandates. Background/Context The previous 2025 bylaws, which had been lauded for preserving open spaces and reducing visual clutter, proved largely ineffective. “We saw a complete lack of bidders and…