Cobbler kiosks in city gathering dust

Cobbler kiosks in city gathering dust

The Hindu

They are being used for purposes other than what they were meant for

# BMP under a package to rehabilitate cobblers had installed kiosks at prominent places
# The project was put on hold after some cobblers suggested modifications in the design

BANGALORE: Last year, when the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) decided to rehabilitate evicted cobblers in swanky looking kiosks, little did the authorities know that this pilot project will contradict its own rule of not allowing any structures on pavements.

Soon after installing some kiosks on prominent roads, the civic body's plans fell flat following directions from the Karnataka High Court in related cases that "foothpaths are meant only for pedestrians and that the BMP cannot put up any structures on them."

Though there was no particular reference to the cobbler kiosks in the directions, the BMP hesitated to sign the lease agreement with a private company, which had put up the kiosks in return for advertising rights. As a result, the kiosks are gathering dust and in some places they are being used for purposes other than what they are meant for.

The BMP, under a package to rehabilitate cobblers, who were evicted from KG Road in November 2003, had installed the kiosks at prominent places including Mahatma Gandhi Road, Richmond Road, Sankey Road, KG Road and Gandhinagar area on a pilot basis.

Official sources in the BMP said that the project was put on hold initially after some cobblers suggested that the design of kiosks be modified. "There was a feedback that the design is much suited for advertising rather than for accommodating the cobblers. Though we asked the company to modify the design, it is yet to carry out the changes," the sources said.

Unable to wait for the BMP's decision to allot the kiosks, one cobbler has put up shop just next to the kiosk on Race Course Road. At the K.R. Circle, a street vendor selling pens and other stationary is using the kiosk to display his wares. The four kiosks on Mahatma Gandhi Road are being used as petty shops, including a bookshop. Sometimes, beggars and rag pickers are seen using these kiosks as rest houses or a play area.

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When contacted, BMP Additional Commissioner Gaurav Gupta told The Hindu on Monday that the BMP was working out modalities to rehabilitate the cobblers in a manner that would not obstruct pedestrian movement.

"We will abide by the court directions and ensure that pedestrian movement on pavement is not obstructed in any way. We have realised that the issue of allotting kiosks to cobblers requires an innovative approach," he said.