BBMP to shift office to City Market complex

The new structure has failed to draw traders, merchants so far

Built in 1998, the building was allotted to shopkeepers as an organised marketing structure.

While the two-storeyed building was expected to attract more shopkeepers, very few set up their business there. Only the ground floor was occupied by traders.

As a result, the Palike is  stuck with a property worth crores. Revenue from the complex was expected in lakhs per month but there were no returns except for a few thousands.

Water scarcity

An ex-Palike official who was earlier associated with the project claims that the BBMP had to blame itself for the poor response.

 “People do not set up business in the building due to lack of an overhead tank and proper sanitary facilities”, he said.

The City Market, Kalasipalya, Avenue Road and nearby areas face severe water crisis due to lack of Cauvery water supply.

With the best available technology in those years the building could perhaps been the most sought after had the Palike evinced more interest in its maintenance, local shop owners felt.

 Reacting to the allegations, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike officials stated that it was the shopkeepers who refused to enter the complex as it would have affected their businesses.

Business interest

“The shopkeepers in the City Market area till date have refused to move in as they felt that it would hamper their business. While the ground floor and the cellar have been occupied, shopkeepers do not wish to go to the first floor as they believe that no customer will climb up to the first floor,” a Palike official said.

With no other alternative to ensure that the complex is utilised, the BBMP is now contemplating to shift its Market Division office to the same building.