Parking overhaul at K.R. Market brings seamless movement but hits small vendors’ businesses
The Greater Bengaluru Authority has installed barricades and created a dedicated route to enter the facility, halving the width of Avenue Road for the purpose
K.R. Market in Bengaluru has recently undergone a significant parking overhaul, transitioning into a smart parking facility. This innovative development has streamlined the parking process, eliminating the previous congestion at the market's entrance. However, the changes have brought about unforeseen challenges for small vendors operating outside the market.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has erected barricades to create a dedicated route, reducing Avenue Road's width for the purpose. While this measure has proven effective in managing vehicle flow, it has also curtailed the space available for vendors. Small vendors report diminished footfall, attributing it to the barricades and the subsequent rearrangement of visitors' shopping habits.
Asha, a flower vendor, laments the loss of visibility and customer interaction, stating that the barricaded portion feels like being behind bars. Radha, a 20-year veteran flower vendor, observes a shift in buyer behavior, with visitors now bypassing the market's entrance altogether and heading straight to the parking area. G.M. Divakar, president of the K.R. Market Flowers Merchants' Association, confirms a decline in footfall, attributing it to the paid parking system and the removal of traditional buyers' routes.
The market has also seen the demolition of 180 shops, further diminishing the shopping options available to visitors. This, coupled with ongoing civic works and jam-packed roads around the market, has contributed to a reduction in overall footfall. A senior engineer overseeing the market explains that the barricading is a necessary step to ensure smooth vehicle movement, although vendors argue that it represents an encroachment on their space.
Despite the challenges, officials maintain that the new parking system is a positive development, with standardized pricing and a focus on accommodating more vendors. The market's future may involve the redevelopment of the second floor and concretization of the premises, but vendors remain concerned about the immediate impact on their businesses.
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