Aero India 2017: BBMP orders closure of around 300 meat shops in Yelahanka zone
Bengaluru: To prevent bird hits during the prestigious Aero India 2017, the BBMP has ordered closure of around 300 meat shops in the Yelahanka zone till February 18. The Palike has also directed all non-vegetarian eateries to prepare only vegetarian dishes till the end of the Aero India show. But it is the poor egg and omelette lovers who are now hit hard by the ban order.
Local residents complained that even before the ban was implemented, egg and omelette rates had already started skyrocketing due to the sudden dip in the supply. Mr V.R. Carpenter, a local resident who is also a Kannada writer and poet, said that the price per egg has gone up to Rs 10 from Rs 5 in the area. “A boiled egg costs Rs15, while a single-egg omelette comes for nothing less than Rs 30,” he said.
Several other residents too expressed similar sentiments. “Though the air show is starting on February 14, majority of the meat shops in the radius of 10-15 km around the Yelahanka airbase shut last week itself. BBMP officials are visiting each area and are ensuring that all the shops have remained closed till February 18. This has led to a sudden rise in prices. Those who want to eat non-vegetarian food are forced to bring from outside and cook at home," said a BBMP employee, who is also a resident of the zone.
“Eggs can be sold in general stores too. But because of fear of action from the BBMP, the supply has come down leading to sudden increase in rates. A few traders are making a killing,” he said.
5 lakh tickets, but don't come in 5 lakh cars: Traffic chief
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R. Hithendra on Monday used his Twitter account to create awareness among the public over the possible traffic congestion on Ballari Road during Aero India 2017. He tweeted to say that Bengalureans have bought over five lakh tickets/passes for the airshow. “Use BMTC. Do not come to airshow in 5 lakh cars. 5 lakh cars will cause lot of congestion in spite of diversions,” he said.
He also tweeted that the airshow is for five days. “Do not wait till the last day if you have tickets/passes valid for all the days. Please note the traffic diversions and reach the correct gate well in time. Do not come near the wrong gate and create problems for others,” he tweeted.
Threat perception highest in recent years
Even as the country prepares to showcase its might at its international bestseller air show and Defence Exhibition – ‘Aero India 2017’, the threat perception for the air show is “much higher this time” than ever before, an official source told this newspaper on condition of anonymity.
“There is a heightened perception of air borne threat, and the Air Force and the National Security Guards (NSG) are in control of the security arrangements. Use of low-flying objects, like drones, has been prohibited and passes for the show are being issued after vetting the applicant’s profile in the Aadhaar card by the Intelligence Bureau and city police,” said the source.City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood maintained that though there is “no specific input” of a possible terror attack, the security has been scaled up given the sensitivity and international significance of the air show.
