Bengaluru: Shops lie vacant at south India’sfirst underground A/C market

Bengaluru: The Krishnadevaraya Palike Bazaar, near the Vijayanagar Metro station, often described as south India's first underground air-conditioned market, presents a stark contrast to the bustling street above. Completed at Rs 13 crore and inaugurated in Aug 2024, the facility now comes under the Bengaluru West city corporation after the formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).Despite being showcased in official budget documents, the market remains largely deserted. Of the 79 shops in the complex, only five are occupied, with negligible customer footfall. Even the five vendors have shops on the street above and use the bazaar as an additional space.Many vendors allotted shops inside continue to operate on the pavement above. "We were allotted shops inside, but there is no business there. We tried for over a year but failed," said Ramanna, a coconut seller, who returned to the street after Nov.Karthik K, who sells puja items, runs a shop inside. But he also has a stall outside. "Once all street vendors are cleared, people will have to come down. Then business may improve," he said. Nearly 50 long-time vendors, many part of the Vijayanagar Fruit and Vegetable Vendors' Association, were prioritised for allotment.However, eviction of vendors from the street has hit a hurdle, with a group of them securing a stay order from the court. Until the issue is resolved, traders say, the underground market will struggle to attract customers.The infrastructure inside remains underused. The market has a lift and two escalators, but these are often kept switched off to save power. "There are only five of us. Running them would be a waste," said Krishnamurthy, a flower seller. Another vendor also noted that a nearby transformer was once damaged due to the load from the escalators and lift.Some traders have already changed businesses to cope with losses. Naseer Ahmed, who earlier sold fruits, now deals in garments and plastic goods. "Even now, business is almost nil," he said.Officials, however, remain optimistic. Bengaluru West city corporation commissioner, KV Rajendra, said, "We are working to resolve the issues within the next two months. The market is ready for tender and auction, and we are in the process of fixing rents in the prescribed format, taking various cost factors into account."———-QuoteWe are working to resolve the issues within the next two months. The market is ready for tender and auction, and we are in the process of fixing rents in the prescribed format, taking various cost factors into account- KV Rajendra, commissioner, Bengaluru West city corporation