Palike brings down makeshift shops at KR Market

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Thursday razed some temporary sheds in order to give a facelift to the KR Market.The action drew angry reaction from the local traders, who called it a unilateral action without giving them time to shift elsewhere.

According to local traders, the action started at about 6.30 pm when the BBMP team with a sizable number of policemen and earthmover machines reached the place and demolished the temporary structures made of tin sheets.

A portion of the old building in a dilapidated state was also razed. Vegetable vendors who had encroached upon the pavements and road were also forced to leave the place. The operation went on for nearly two hours.

Pasha, a local trader, complained that the BBMP did not give them any prior notice to vacate the place. Due to the chaos, their business was badly affected, complained Pasha.

The BBMP intends to develop the chaotic KR Market on a par with malls in the City. It intends to construct a vehicle parking space adjacent to the existing structure and use all the floors of the market for trading purposes.

Presently, two floors of the market are lying vacant as traders do not find them suitable for their business.
Those who got shops on lease from the BBMP have either sub-leased them or do their business on the pavements and streets inside and outside the KR Market.