No more double-deckers

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has sounded the death knell for double-deckers in the city. The decision followed th...

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The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has sounded the death knell for double-deckers in the city. The decision followed the state government’s ban on vehicles that are over 15 years old in the city. ‘‘They are very old and slow. We are replacing all of them with brand new trailer buses that can accommodate the same number of passengers,’’ said BMTC managing director Bipin Gopalakrishna.

Party time in Cyberabad

HYDERABAD: The state government has decided to end the 11 pm curfew on bars and restaurants. According to the new rules, bars can stay open till midnight, restaurants till 1 am while discotheques in five-star hotels can remain open all night. The decision was taken in view of the coming ‘‘Visit Hyderabad Festival’’ and the ‘‘fish medicine mela’’. In a city that is just waking up to night life, the earlier decision to impose an 11 pm curfew had provoked widespread criticism.

Jaya, Karunanidhi take on EC’s job

CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK and the Opposition DMK are leaving no stones unturned to ensure that the other party does not indulge in bogus voting. If the DMK cadres are doing a door-to-door survey to verify the existence of the voters in the poll list, the AIADMK is going around cross-checking the list to the minutest detail, including even the complexion and the height of the voters. Let’s hope the exercise yields some result.

Secretariat becomes suicide spot

CHENNAI: The latest hotspot for suicides in Chennai seems to be the Secretariat. With 35-year-old Anthonyammal trying to kill herself after being unable to petition the CM’s office, the toll has risen to eight. Ever since Jayalalithaa began the petition mela in March, people have been coming in a steady stream to submit petitions. And of those turned away, some have taken the drastic decision of killing themselves right there on the front steps.