Bengaluru: Time is ticking for Johnson Market, the heritage structure in Richmond Town, which the BBMP plans to demolish and replace with a new multistoreyed complex. The traders, who have occupied the market for decades, will have to move out while the BBMP carries out its plan.
Though the civic agency has sought two years from the High Court to rehabilitate them, the traders are unhappy with the move, arguing there is no reason to demolish the market as its condition is not as bad as being made out.
Mr Syed Zaheer Uddin, secretary, Johnson Market Merchants’ Association, says his family has done business from the market for decades. “My father and forefathers have been doing business in Johnson market for the last 60 years. This market is one of the oldest in the city as it was built in 1929 after K R Market and Russell Market,” he points out, arguing that it is the duty of the government to restore the market and preserve the heritage structure rather than demolish it to make way for a modern market complex.
Other traders at the market say the BBMP is playing into the hands of a few politicians, who stand to gain from the demolition of the heritage building. “This market is one of the best planned in terms of natural lighting and ventilation. But the government is planning to demolish it and build a multistoreyed market complex in its place. The plan will be an utter failure just like the K R Market Complex for the simple reason that markets do not operate on upper floors. People do not like climbing stairs while carrying goods,” they contend.
Pointing to the iron beams and stone pillars in the Sree Durga Bakery in the market, its owner, Sridhar asks pertinently, "How can a structure built using iron beams and stone pillars and with a strong foundation be in danger of collapsing? The building might appear dilapidated, but it is strong enough. We find no structural threat to it. It only needs some repair and renovation." Mr Zaheer Uddin reveals the traders are meeting BBMP officials on December 5 to request it to have the market structure assessed by engineers.
