Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. LPG crisis in Bengaluru: Helplines unreachable, apps fail as cylinder bookings surge in the city

Amid the continuing disruption in commercial LPG supply due to tensions in West Asia, domestic consumers in Bengaluru have begun reporting difficulties in booking cylinders, with several users complaining of technical glitches on apps and websites, and misleading confirmation messages from booking platforms. 

Many consumers said they were either unable to access the booking systems or received automated messages that did not match the actual status of their orders. However, distributors maintained that the supply of domestic cylinders continues as usual, but the flood of bookings has created a glitch. As a result, the pendency of orders has increased, affecting delivery timelines. 

2. Bengaluru police launch drive against illegal hoarding and marketing of LPG cylinders

Amid the ongoing LPG crisis, the Bengaluru City Police have launched a drive against illegal hoarding and marketing of LPG cylinders in the city. More than 50 godowns were inspected over the past two days, but no such illegal activities have been detected so far, they said.

Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said that teams have been formed at the police station level and that the drive was being supervised by the Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs). According to the DCPs who spoke to The Hindu, more than 50 warehouses and several goods vehicles were searched in the last two days.

3. Who gets priority cylinder supply in Karnataka — hospitals, hostels and residential schools, says Minister

The supply of commercial LPG cylinders would be prioritised to hospitals, hostels and residential schools, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa announced in the Karnataka Legislative Council on March 13. Hotels will have to wait for at least a week by which time supply of LPG cylinders is expected to improve, he added.

“I met oil marketing companies (OMCs) representatives again today (Friday). They have informed that adequate stocks are available,” the Minister informed the Council. Mr. Muniyappa said that the deputy commissioners have been told to maintain strict vigil to prevent sale of LPG cylinders in the black market.

4. Airports in Tier-II cities are not financially viable after end of UDAN scheme: M.B. Patil

Airports in Tier-II cities and district headquarters, such as Kalaburagi, Bidar and Shivamogga, have proved to be financially unviable after the completion of the three-year incentive period under UDAN scheme, Industry and Infrastructure Development Minister M. B. Patil said in the Legislative Assembly on March 13, 2026.

To improve the viability of district airports, Mr. Patil said he had proposed to the Union Civil Aviation Minister that the UDAN scheme be extended from three years to five years. For the subsequent five years, the Centre and the State governments could jointly support operations in a 50:50 ratio, he suggested.

5. Karnataka’s ₹391 crore plan to dump pollution from Bengaluru on farmers in Kanakapura

According to a recently released report, the Karnataka government’s proposal of a ₹391 crore plan to revive the long-contaminated Byramangala reservoir reveals a fundamental disconnect from pollution reality, and fails to address the source of the pollution that has turned Vrishabhavati river into a toxic stream. 

Published by Mapping Malnad, a citizen-led platform for research, advocacy and dialogue to protect the Western Ghats, the report throws light on the river’s worsening condition, and how the river’s pollutants also make their way into vegetables, feed, and even animal and human bodies, turning it into a public health crisis.