Johnson Market upgrade plan remains only a plan

Johnson Market upgrade plan remains only a plan
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Johnson Market needs no introduction as it's a historical market and one among the oldest markets in the City...

But, sadly it’s in ruins today. Plans to upgrade and renovate Johnson Market by the Palike has remained only on papers since many years.

According to sources in BBMP, in 2001, the BMP had decided to demolish this market and build a new complex by the revenue generated from lease/rental or licence from the market.

However, it failed to become reality. Later in 2006, BBMP had decided to allocate a sum of Rs 3 crore to give a face lift to old markets across the city including Johnson Market. Providing facilities like drinking water, proper pathways, toilets and lighting was supposed to take place in the market. But, the fact remains that till today no work has been taken up in this direction.

Now, the question that arises is whether any development work will ever take place in Johnson Market? “Yes” said Mandanna, Deputy Commissioner Markets, BBMP. “The previous projects planned by BBMP to renovate Johnson Market didn’t take off and were shelved as we didn’t get a good response from private bidders”, he added.

Mr Mandanna also informed that the Palike had plans to renovate Johnson Market in the coming days in a phased manner under the build-operate-maintain-transfer (BOMT) with public private partnership, but he was not in a position to give all the details as this plan is still in its initial stage.

BBMP Commissioner, S Subramanya also informed that the Palike had some plans to renovate Johnson Market in the coming days.

Since the BBMP has already failed in its attempts to carry out any development work at Johnson Market, people have no other option but to just wait and watch.