<p>Bengaluru: Local traders on Mosque Road have raised concerns over the sluggish pace of the ongoing white-topping work, claiming it has severely hurt their businesses and worsened traffic congestion.</p>.<p>Mahdi Hasan, manager of Ajmal, a perfume store, said that sales had significantly dropped since January. “Construction has been extremely slow, and our sales are very low,” he said, adding that road-related accidents have increased. “Recently, a metal rod pierced a motorist’s arm.”</p>.'Gun-toting' intruder raids brewery, escapes with Rs 50,000 .<p>Salman, 26, manager of Taj Restaurant, echoed similar worries. “Business has drastically declined since work began. People don’t want to come here — it is almost inaccessible,” he said.</p>.<p>Some traders felt the BBMP should have avoided starting the project during the festive season.</p>.<p>Afzal of Cafe Arabia noted that sales began dipping three to four months ago, even before Ramzan, and have not recovered. He urged the authorities to expedite the work to ease congestion and revive local businesses.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Local traders on Mosque Road have raised concerns over the sluggish pace of the ongoing white-topping work, claiming it has severely hurt their businesses and worsened traffic congestion.</p>.<p>Mahdi Hasan, manager of Ajmal, a perfume store, said that sales had significantly dropped since January. “Construction has been extremely slow, and our sales are very low,” he said, adding that road-related accidents have increased. “Recently, a metal rod pierced a motorist’s arm.”</p>.'Gun-toting' intruder raids brewery, escapes with Rs 50,000 .<p>Salman, 26, manager of Taj Restaurant, echoed similar worries. “Business has drastically declined since work began. People don’t want to come here — it is almost inaccessible,” he said.</p>.<p>Some traders felt the BBMP should have avoided starting the project during the festive season.</p>.<p>Afzal of Cafe Arabia noted that sales began dipping three to four months ago, even before Ramzan, and have not recovered. He urged the authorities to expedite the work to ease congestion and revive local businesses.</p>