Will clean up KR Market, says Mayor G Padmavathi

Bengaluru: Ever since she took over as Mayor, G. Padmavathi has been on a mission to clean up K.R. Market. She visits the place every Saturday and ensures that BBMP officials, pourakarmikas and garbage contractors keep at their jobs. Although there has been a visible improvement since her first visit on October 14, 2016, the task is humongous, and visitors are still greeted by heaps of stinking garbage. Cleaning up of the market is one of the crucial steps that the Palike has to take to claim the central government-sponsored Smart City tag. But it was not always like this.

“For long, KR Market was known for its cleanliness. It was built in 1927 to mark the silver jubilee of the coronation of Krishnaraja Wadiyar. The KR Market, named after the king, was built under the supervision of Sir Mirza Ismail, who was the Diwan of Mysore. It is a blend of classical and European architecture,” historian Suresh Moona told Deccan Chronicle.

“The main structure of the market should be restored and cleanliness maintained. Boards should be put up narrating the history of the market. When it was built, the area also had Mirza Oval, right opposite the main structure,” Mr Moona said.

Ms Padmavathi told Deccan Chronicle, “I am doing all I can to revive the market. I have even transferred 30 BBMP officials for not maintaining cleanliness. The problem now is that the waste generated at the market and surrounding areas is dumped at one spot. The garbage contractors have asked for more dumping points, and we have approved two spots, one near Victoria Hospital and another near Binny Mills. Once they start functioning, the waste generated at the market will be immediately shifted to these spots, and we will start cracking down on officers if cleanliness is not maintained.”

Pay and park near K.R. market
To stop haphazard parking of vehicles at KR Market, the BBMP is planning to introduce the “pay and park” system at the city’s landmark.“We have already discussed the issue with officials and they will soon call for tenders. Tendering process is expected to be completed in a month. We hope that traffic snarls in this busy area will come down once pay and park is introduced and it will also raise revenues for the BBMP,” said Mayor Padmavathi.