More encroachments cleared in KR Market

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) continued its drive against encroachments and cleared unauthorised shops and buildings in KR Market on Saturday.

KR Market, among the oldest and the largest in the city, was cleared of encroachments and unauthorised shops on Friday. A total of 2,021 encroachments were removed, while dozens of unauthorised shops were pulled down.

Pulled up by the high court, the BBMP commissioner had visited the market on Thursday and promised to remove the numerous unauthorised constructions and clear the footpaths.

On Saturday, the upper basement was cleared, with as many as 528 shops and encroachments being removed. Among the items that were cleared were permanent tables and steel structures used by shopkeepers to display their merchandise.

In all, there were around 494 shops in the basement and 265 on the first floor.

The encroachments were also removed from around the market premises as well, including the illegal shops near the metro station.

About 28 lorries and tractors were brought in to collect the debris.

According to BBMP officials, the shopkeepers took back some things that could be used and the rest was trashed.

Four compactors, four earthmovers, 350 BBMP personnel, 110 policemen and 30 marshals were deployed by the Palike to oversee the clearance drive.