BBMP commissioner promises facelift to KR Market

BBMP commissioner M Lakshminarayana took part in the ‘intensive cleaning programme’ at KR Market on Sunday and assured traders of improving the area.

The commissioner inspected the parking lot at the basement of the market complex and instructed the officials to take steps for its improvement, in addition to effective garbage management. He gave these instructions following a request by software engineers who took part in the programme.

Lakshminarayana said that developmental activities would be implemented, using Palike funds, to give a facelift to the market in the coming days.

He told Deccan Herald: “One of the biggest problems at the market is encroachment by hawkers. But they cannot be displaced, as per the directions of the Supreme Court. We have decided to lay a concrete road of 300 to 400 metres.

It will be adjacent to KR Market, where the hawkers can move in. This step will reduce the chaos and ensure free movement of vehicles and people. The basement parking area will also be improved.”

Traders, meanwhile, expressed regret that the parking lot is unfit for use as it stinks and is filthy.

“This problem has been persisting for more than two decades now. Not many people park their vehicles here. Moreover, the parking fee is Rs 20 per hour which is too much,” said G M Diwakar, president, KR Market Flower Merchants' Association.        
Mayor B S Satyanarayana also had debris cleared from the footpaths and the lane on the neighbouring Sethuram Road.