Bazaar lifts sagging sales on MG Road

The Bazaar aimed at boosting the sagging sales on this trademark road of the Garden City, is already proving to be a successful venture. Since its launch on April 2, shop owners have been requesting the Bangalore Trades Association (BTA), the organisers of the Bazaar, to extend it till at least April 17. The Bazaar is scheduled to end on April 11.

Association president, Bhoopalam P Srinath is overwhelmed by the response the Bazaar has evoked in the first week itself. “We have around 45 members in our association, who are shop owners on MG Road. I have received more than 15 calls asking me to extend the date of the Bazaar," he said.

The Association had planned the Bazaar period to coincide with the launch of Metro service on MG Road. “Though the Metro could not take off on Ugadi day, we stuck to our dates,” Srinath said.

Vijayalakshmi Silks and Sarees is offering discount as part of the Bazaar and it has been getting good response from both old and new customers. “We offer Rs 1,000 off on a saree worth Rs 10,000 and consecutive discounts depending on the saree price. The response has been very good,” D S Prasanna, one of the partners of the shop, said. Most of the shops on MG Road are offering discounts on their products during the Bazaar period.

Rebuilding MG Road

Once the Metro launch happens, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will revamp the entire stretch of MG Road. Shopkeepers on this road, who withstood huge losses ever since the Metro work was launched, expect some relief now. The Association is planning to urge the government to provide a proper parking space on MG Road for customers.

The footpaths have to be re-laid as their present condition is very bad. MG Road is an international landmark in Bangalore which must be built as per international standards, Srinath added.

Some of the shop owners want the famous boulevard to be back soon. “We want the entire stretch of the beautiful green boulevard to be rebuilt. Hawkers on MG Road are a menace and they need to be removed," Prasanna said.

Some of the prominent shops participating in the Bazaar are Deepam Silks, Anchal, Vimal, Shanthala Silk House, Men's Favourite Shop, Navrang and Quality Furnishing.