K R market raises stink

K R market raises stink
Sonali Desai, Bangalore, Oct 29, DHNS

K R Market, named after Mysore Maharaja Krishna Rajendra Wadiyar IV, is strewn with garbage all around. Footpaths are encroached upon by vendors hindering people’s movement.

“Garbage is cleared late in the afternoon, when customers come shopping. Cleaning and maintenance work does not take place daily. Officials concerned have not addressed our problems,” said Secretary of K R Market Merchant Association K N Janardhan.

The market’s new building, opened in 1998 paints a dismal picture. While the building’s second floor remains unoccupied, footpaths are packed with fruits and vegetable vendors.

The BBMP official in-charge blames market users for flouting rules.

Assistant Executive Engineer BBMP Narayan informed that most of the shops were unauthorised and paid no rents.

The old and new market buildings cover almost 1,081 shops, which are on lease.
New building's basement has 507 shops, while ground floor has 494 shops and 165 mutton stalls.

Eventhough, the contractor in-charge of cleaning the market claimed that he cleared 60 tonnes of waste daily, misery of shop owners remain unabated due to fetid dumping yard.

Around 185 cleaners clean the City market building in two shifts. They unload waste at Mandur (K R Puram) dumping yard. Before it goes to the allotted dumping yard, waste is dumped in a pit on ground floor.

Hospitalised

Two years ago, Mohammed Azam, who runs an iron shop in the premises, adjacent to the dumping yard, was admitted at St John's hospital, owing to dengue fever.
Even furnishing of medical certificate to a BBMP officer went in vain.

“After 6 pm stench emanating from the dumping yard and mosquitoes make it unbearable for us to sit in the shop,” said Mohammed Azam.

Even customers are victims.

“I am disgusted by the filth in the market. I am worried about the hygiene of vegetables and fruits bought from here,” said M S Suldhal, a first-timer to K R Market.

While contractors in-charge of cleaning complain lack of holidays even on festivals, the shopkeepers had to endure heaps of waste for eight-days during Dasara.