Ahead of Ugadi, and under the gaze of the Karnataka High Court, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had cleared structures that were encroaching on common areas inside the sprawling Krishna Rajendra Market in the heart of the city. The HC had cautioned that it would not hesitate to order closure of the market if the civic body failed to rectify some of the serious fire safety lapses.
However, weeks after the exhaustive exercise, the market seems to have returned to its original chaos. Traders continue to display their wares outside the complex and encroach passages while unauthorised vendors occupy portions of the stairwell. Scores of vendors, selling everything from lemons to fresh green vegetables, occupy the space outside the market that had been clearly demarcated to enable easy entry and movement of fire tenders in case of an emergency.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services had said that the BBMP should ensure that eight metres of approach roads around the market should be free of encroachments and obstructions. That is no longer the case.
“Civic officials know that the market is back to what it was earlier. When the drive was on, the market was cleaned and passages were empty,” said Syed Hussain, a trader at the market.
Concurring, G.M. Divakar, president of the K.R. Market Flower Merchants’ Association, said with illegal shops being allowed in the emergency exits and other common areas, the market lacked proper ventilation. “The BBMP has taken no action to clear the 24 illegal shops, which the court clearly stated should be demolished as part of fire safety measures. What’s even more shocking is that the BBMP is taking rent from these illegal shops,” he said, and added that the traders and vendors were apprehensive about speaking out fearing the ‘mafia’. He also lamented the lack of basic infrastructure, such as drinking water facilities and public toilets.
Acknowledging the problems, BBMP's Special Commissioner S.G. Raveendra said traders and street vendors had complained about a ‘mafia’ operating in the market. “We have formed a committee with representatives of all stakeholders, including law and order police, traffic police, Bescom, BWSSB and members of the traders' association, chaired by BBMP's Deputy Commissioner (Markets). The committee is expected to meet regularly to solve issues pertaining to the market,” he said.
The BBMP is still mulling over the idea of creating vending zones outside the market. Vendors often vie for the limited space outside the market and on the adjoining roads. “Once we are able to counter this problem, we will create vending zones,” he said and admitted that even the eight feet space earmarked for movement of fire tenders had now been occupied by vendors.
With redevelopment of the market on the cards under the Smart City project, Mr. Raveendra said the infrastructure inadequacies would be set right.
NOC from Fire and Emergency Services
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is expecting the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to soon issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the historic Krishna Rajendra Market. BBMP's Special Commissioner S.G. Raveendra told The Hindu that the civic body had paid ₹50,000 to the department via a demand draft for the NOC. “We have not been able to follow up since all officials were busy with poll duty. We expect the department to issue the NOC shortly,” he said.
