Bengaluru: 2,000 illegal shops cleared at K R Market

Bengaluru: Officials of the BBMP locked up the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) office at the K.R Market complex during an eviction drive on Monday as the committee owes Palike rent amounting to Rs 1.72 crore.

BBMP officials said that the APMC had not paid rent since 1987. Despite serving many notices, it did not bother to clear the pending dues. The officials, led by Palike administrator T.M. Vijay Bhaskar and Deputy Commissioner (Market) S.K Mathai, evicted over 2,000 unauthorised shops from the market premises.

“With only a few days for Varamahalakshmi festival, thousands of people will throng the market. Several shopkeepers had extended their shops, obstructing the movement of the people. With the help of BMTF personnel, all encroachments had been cleared,” Mr. Bhaskar said.

Amidst chaos and protest, the drive started as early as 6 am. “Shopkeepers, who ignored our notices, staged a protest. However, by afternoon, the BBMP workers with police protection were able to clear all encroachments at the market,” Mr Mathai said.

As part of the drive, the officials of the BBMP locked up 21 shops in Utility building for not paying rent. However, the owners of 11 shops immediately paid rent amounting to '55 lakh and cleared their pending dues. The BBMP, however, locked up 10 shops.