Several banners reading ‘KCR Zindabad L&T Murdabad, thanks for saving our Sultan Bazaar heritage banners’ welcome those entering the 200-year old shopping centre.
Ironically, those who put them up a few years ago are now protesting against the Metro Rail project again, claiming that the latest alignment of its route will result in them losing their livelihoods due to demolition of their establishments. On Tuesday, all the shops at Sultan Bazaar remained closed, as the traders were on a protest against the ‘realignment’ of the Metro Rail project, which they said would pass through the 200-year old market, which mainly comprises garment and textile establishments.
“A few traders along with N. V. S. Reddy, the managing director of HMR have lied to KCR that we have agreed for the demolition,” alleged Sudheer Kumar, treasurer, Sultan Bazaar Traders Association (SBTA), during the bandh.
Mr. Kumar and other shop owners said that apart from losing the heritage market, they would be in for huge losses, as any other alternative space they would get would not be sustainable. “They have said that traders would be given space in the sky walk, where the prices will be very high. The Sultan Bazaar market is a middle class market, where 25 lakh people come for shopping during Dussera every year,” he added.
Lakshman, who owns Maya Garment at the Sultan Bazaar market, said that most of the establishments there are family run businesses, which have been there from generations. “The livelihood of a lot people, depends on this place. The bus stop here also brings in a lot of customers,” he mentioned.
Both of them said that the alternative market which the Metro Rail authorities are building at Putlibowli is undesirable to traders. “We are not against the Chief Minister, as we believe he is still with us. In 2011, he had protested against the then Congress government, and we are sure he will save the market,” said Mr. Kumar.
He said that the road in the market is 23 feet wide, and that the proposed widening up to 120 feet would lead to demolition of almost all the existing structures. The bandh on Tuesday was successful, with all the shops being shut, and many of the owners turning up at the protest, holding banners against the Metro Rail project.
