Public outraged as Bengaluru pothole claims 27-yr-old techie's life

News Network
March 14, 2022

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Bengaluru, Mar 14: A pothole in Bengaluru claimed one more life on Monday, March 14 as a 27-year-old engineer, rode into it and received fatal injuries later succumbing to it in a hospital. 

The victim has been identified as Ashwin, a resident of Muneshwara Layout near Yelahanka. Ashwin, who hailed from Haveri district, is survived by his mother and he was the only earning member in the family. 

Residents alleged that the pothole had come up after the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) failed to restore the road which was dug up for pipeline work. 

“Ashwin fell into the ditch and suffered injuries to his head. He was rushed to a private hospital where he succumbed to injuries this morning,” an eyewitness from the locality said.

Another resident, Suhasini Paniraj, said, “The condition of the road has been pathetic for the last two months and we have raised the issue with the officials. However, none of them attended to our complaints,” she said.

Several other daily commuters on the stretch also pointed out that the lack of street lights on the stretch has also compounded the problem. “None of the streetlights along the stretch work. If the road was well-lit, the incident could have been avoided,” said another resident.

The Yelahanka Traffic Police have taken up a case and registered an FIR against BWSSB and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom).

Gaurav Gupta, Chief Commissioner, BBMP said, “Our zonal officials are investigating the matter. At the outset, the incident has happened at a stretch where BWSSB had dug up to lay a pipeline. But we are investigating the incident and suitable action will be taken against those who are responsible for the accident. We will ensure all precautions are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.”

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers resorted to protest at the site demanding the intervention of both BBMP and BWSSB officials. The Yelahanka police detained a few protesters as a precautionary measure.

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News Network
January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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