Mayor refuses to stop KR Market renovation

 Mayor B S Satyanarayana on Monday said the BBMP could not allow the KR Market to be ruined “only to benefit a few encroachers.” 

With BBMP renovating the market from Monday, traders, who have encroached upon the pavement, reached the Palike office with local MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, arguing that any renovation plan would badly affect their livelihood.

After listening to them, Satyanarayana said work would start on Wednesday at any cost. The Palike on Monday deferred its KR Market renovation plan for the second time on account of protests. The work, which should have begun last Friday, was deferred due to protests by traders. The renovation is based on a design given by Prakash Belawadi and eminent architect Naresh Venkataraman.  Belawadi and Venkataraman had given a presentation in BBMP Council.

“Bangalore’s main market should be the centre of  attraction and not something people should run away from,” said Satyanarayana. “You are free to approach any forum or court, but our decision will not change.” Some traders suggested providing land at Banni Mutt on Magadi Road for which the mayor and commissioner remained noncommittal, stating they would take a call on Wednesday.