Vendors don’t know their market is going to be turned into a mall

Malleswaram Market has been in existence since the 1960s.

By Tej Sapru

Bangalore (Sept. 20)—Vendors at Malleswaram Market have not been informed that the Bangalore Development Authority is going to construct a mall in its place within the next 18 months.

“We have not been given any notice—how can they demolish it?” said Ramraj (name changed), a vendor at the market who asked that his name not be used.

The Market Association is under the impression that the municipal corporation, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, is the only body they have to deal with.

 “We have heard nothing from the BDA—the corporation owns the land,” said Venkatswami, president of the Malleswaram Market Association.
But authorities from the BBMP confirmed that the project was no longer under their jurisdiction.

“The BBMP owns the land, but the project has been given to the BDA,” said Nanjaia, assistant executive

Vendors do not think their business will be successful in a mall.

engineer for the BBMP.

Authorities from the BDA confirmed that the market is going to be razed.

“We will completely remove the present market and build a mall,” said Subramanium, the BDA executive engineer for the market.

When asked why the vendors currently occupying the market had not been told about the plan, the engineer was dismissive.
“Maybe after the MOA [Memorandum of Agreement] has been decided, they will be told.” Subramanium said.

Vendors doubt they’ll be given space in mall

The BDA has promised to provide a temporary space for the vendors during construction of the mall, and shops within the mall when the structure is complete. But the vendors are skeptical.

“There are 263 shops in the market—there is no place in Malleswaram where they can put us up,” Venkatraman said.
Ramraj, who has had a shop in Malleswaram Market since 1968, does not believe the BDA will stick to the 18-month deadline.

“It will be at least three years before they are finished. How will I run my business? How will I pay for my children’s education?” he said.

IThe Market Association is waging a legal battle with the BBMP over the rent it currently pays. It believes that space within a mall will be too valuable to be given to its members.

“Give us a written agreement that you will provide us temporary space to sell, and a place within the mall,” Venkatraman said.

Kala Anil thinks many people will not be able to afford to buy from a mall.

Residents cool toward mall plan

Locals believe that the destruction of the market will be another step toward destroying the culture of one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

“This is Malleswaram—building malls will make it the same as Indiranagar or anywhere,” said Neha Suresh, a Malleswaram resident who frequents the market.

“If the quality is good, I’ll take it, but it might be too expensive for some other people,” said Kala Anil, who has lived in nearby Seshadripuram for over 20 years.

The markets current occupants are willing to take the matter to court if they do not get the assurance they seek.
“None of us are rich here, but we’ll all put in money and we’ll fight it,” Venkatraman said.