Market renovation: Vendors stick to their stands

BANGALORE: Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda has warned the Russell Market vendors yet again to immediately vacate the market premises citing safety reasons. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had issued a notice to the traders to move out of the building on Thursday. However, the vendors refused to budge saying the renovation work is almost complete and the notice from BBMP has reached them very late.But the BBMP commissioner says no reasons will be entertained. “We will renovate (the building) and people cannot continue to work and stay in an unsafe structure. We will provide a makeshift market and start the renovation work soon. This way, the livelihood of the traders will not be disturbed. The date for work on renovation and the temporary market to continue business will be given by the Special Commissioner for Projects soon,” Gowda stressed.Deputy Mayor S Harish said, “We do not want another mishap to happen. The building is unsafe to conduct business now. We saw in the media that traders have started renovating the gutted structure by themselves. We will send out our teams and inspect the renovation work done by traders and then take our next step.”In the meantime, the Russell Market Traders Association General Secretary Mohammed Idris Chowdry said, “We want the BBMP’s cooperation in fixing sanitation pipes and water connections in the market. The 85-year-old market is renovated well under our guidance. Every new pillar is strong enough to withstand weight. We have no problem conducting our business here. We all request the BBMP to change its perception towards this market building as safe enough after our renovation work.”