A day after a fire gutted 123 shops in Russel Market, business resumed in the mutton and fish markets here on Sunday. A few flower and vegetable vendors went through their business as usual outside the market. However, customers, who usually flock the market on weekends, kept away.
This, even as the traders of the fruits and vegetable market tried to salvage goods that were not burnt in the fire. The mood was sombre as a few traders were seen salvaging onions, potatoes and pumpkins from stacks of vegetables in the market.
Mohammed Idrees Chowdhury, president of Cantonment Fruits and Vegetable Merchants' Association, told The Hindu that the traders hoped to resume their business at the earliest. “The livelihood of traders is dependent on this market. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) should keep this in mind before making renovation plans for the market,” he said.
He said that the traders were hoping to carry on their business in the open courtyard in the middle of the market. This would, however, be the case only if the BBMP accords permission.
Mr. Chowdhury conceded that the traders had erred by not installing any fire safety equipment in the market. He claimed that the loss was still being assessed. Most traders did not have any insurance cover either.
Several traders claimed that they had stocked up on goods expecting sales over the weekend. Akram (40), a fruit shop owner, said that he sells around 200 kg of watermelon on weekdays. The sale doubles on weekends. “On Friday, I had stocked up on 400 kg of watermelon. I lost everything in the fire,” he said.
BBMP Commissioner M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda said that the civic authority would take up renovation of the market's rear portion, while retaining the front façade.
He said that the BBMP had only proposed to construct a multi-storeyed parking facility opposite the market. Contrary to media reports, Russell Market was not part of the markets proposed to be developed in the 2011-12 budget, he added.
He said that the BBMP officials had taken up a mahazar besides an audit of the shop owners.
“The shops will be allotted to only those identified traders. The BBMP is not exploring the possibility of constructing a multi-storeyed complex in place of the market. The civic body has had a bad experience with City Market as none of the traders want to occupy the shops allotted on the first floor,” he said.
Mr. Shankarlinge Gowda said that the traders had been asked to identify alternative arrangements.
The BBMP would make it compulsory for all traders to have fire extinguishers in their shops. “This would be adopted across all BBMP-owned markets. Emphasis will be on preserving heritage structures. We will not allow traders to make any modifications inside the markets,” he added.
