In a first, KR Market to be shut tomorrow

For the first time in the history of the Krishna Rajendra (KR) Market, which was set up in 1928, traders will down shutters on Tuesday for a whole day.

The closure is due to a bandh called by traders of the New KR Market Complex to draw the attention of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials to the problems in the market, such as the lack of fire safety measures, illegal shops and lack of ventilation.

All Traders of KR Market Merchants Welfare Association members, with the support of New Market Complex traders, will shut the complex that houses 1,300 shops.
KR Market Flower Merchants’ Association president G M Diwakar said they have been forced to shut shop. “The shutdown will affect the livelihood of hundreds of farmers who supply perishable commodities to the market. We get flowers, fruit and vegetables from Anekal, Hosakote, Devanahalli, Magadi Taluk, Kunigal and Tamil Nadu. However, we do not have any other option as we want the Palike to take our issues seriously.”
The association said even regular customers would be affected. “The loss will be to the tune of Rs 30-40 lakh. Every day 30,000-40,000 people visit the Market Complex to buy vegetables, household and Puja items, fruit, flowers and condiments,” said association members. 

According to the traders, till date there have been 17 fire accidents inside the Complex, and yet there are no fire safety measures in place. They added that all the fire exits have been encroached upon, and shops have come up there.