Devaraja Market renovation: Shopkeepers fear loss

The findings were presented by T S Prasad of the foundation at the capacity building workshop on planning tools for urban heritage conservation and development of Mysore organised by the Mysore City Corporation and Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation at Central Institute of Indian Languages here on Tuesday.

Prasad said 71 per cent of the shopkeepers fear loss of business during renovation. Similar is the concern among 92 per cent of the hawkers dotting the Devaraja Market. Another 19 per cent of the shopkeepers were worried that they would lose the existing customer base once the work starts.

However, the MCC can heave a sigh of relief as nearly 45 per cent of them were optimistic that renovation would attract customers and improve business.

He also said 10 per cent of shopkeepers on Sayyaji Rao road were ready to contribute for renovating the market. During the discussion, Prasad said traders from Nanjangud, Chamarajanagar, T Narsipur and Gundlupet visit the market on a regular basis.

Participants voiced their concern against malls coming up in the surroundings of the market as it would lead to traffic congestion.