BCC cobbler kiosks are billboards for MNCs

BCC cobbler kiosks are billboards for MNCs
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) launched cobbler kiosks with much fanfare a few months ago, to help cobblers to earn a livelihood on the busy roads in commercial areas in the City.

There are more than 39 kiosks but not a single one has been occupied by the cobblers. They do not think much of the kiosks.

There are no shelves to keep instruments and the kiosks are too small. ‘ They are not convenient for us. We have to take back the material home every day.

It is an additional burden and an embarrassment to travel on BTS bus with the unused leather material,” says Muniraju, a cobbler from Munireddy Palya.

The kiosks have been set up at the wrong places. People who visit MG Road may not even notice the kiosk there. The BCC of course did not consult cobblers before designing or putting up the kiosks.

The one near the aquarium occupies most of the space on the footpath. Pedestrians will be forced to walk on the road when a cobbler occupies it.

The kiosk at the Anil Kumble Junction on MG Road is example of poor quality and has a rusted roof.

The other one, near Shankar Nag Chitramandira, occupies most of the footpath too.

While most of these kiosks have no takers, one enterprising hawker has found it convenient to convert the kiosk opposite Tribhuvan theatre into a garment shop.

Many cobblers complain why the BCC has not put up the kiosks in the middle class localities.

“It is these people who come to us. It would help if the BCC selects such localities and provides bigger kiosks,”says Madaiah, a cobbler.