CM promises electricity to Russell Market

The traders at the renovated Russell Market heaved a sigh of relief on Sunday after Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar promised to restore power to the market in a week. As many as 487 traders at the market have been dependent on gensets for power for the past eight months.

The power supply to the shops was disconnected after a fire ravaged the market and since then, the traders are dependent on five diesel generators.

“We have been facing a nightmarish experience because of lack of power supply. Finally, the chief minister heard our plea and directed the managing director of the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) to ensure power supply,” said Mohammed Idrees Choudhury, general secretary, Russel Market Traders’ Association.
He said each generator consumes fuel worth Rs 1,000 a day.

Choudhury, along with vice president of the Association Siraj Ahmed, treasurer Krishna and others met the chief minister with MLA Nirmal Surana.

According to the office-bearers, Shettar told them that the government will extend all possible support to protect the market constructed in 1927.

The chief minister asked the BBMP to initiate the process to provide power supply within a week. Palike Commissioner Rajneesh Goel and Bescom Managing Director P Manivannan were also present.

BBMP consent awaited

Sources in Bescom said that they will wait for the consent of the BBMP to restore power. “They stopped us from supplying power to the market,” said an official.
The traders blamed some elected representatives for the present condition in spite of a no objection certificate issued by Deputy Electrical Inspector, Bangalore East, on August 6 after an inspection.

“Since the market has met all the conditions as per the National Electricity Rules, 1956, the shopping complex is eligible for power supply,” Choudhury said.