Months after a major fire ravaged the 85-year-old heritage structure of Russell Market, it is becoming even more apparent that the BBMP’s decision to pull down the building is a well-planned ‘conspiracy’ by the government and the Palike itself to construct a two-storeyed building with a parking lot. The decision has become a shocker on a day when the world is observing World Heritage Day.
Traders at the market allege that it is a deliberate ploy by the BBMP to shunt the traders out and build a new structure. How could the Russell Market which withstood the fire, be razed down when it has been done up by reputed engineers and architects, the traders question.
The joy of the traders, who recently inaugurated the renovated Russell Market and hoped to carry on their business might not last long as the BBMP plans to rebuild it, considering the safety of the traders.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, BBMP commissioner M. K. Shankarlinge Gowda said the stability report submitted by the Civil Aid Techno Clinic Pvt. Ltd. to BBMP has stated that the structure is not safe to carry out business activity. After the Russell Market was damaged in the fire accident on February 25, the BBMP entrusted Civil Aid Techno Clinic Pvt. Ltd. with giving a stability report on the 85-year-old structure. “Considering the safety of the traders and public, the structure should be pulled down and rebuilt. The inner structure of the market is weak and should be pulled down. The portion which is not damaged will be retained,” said Mr Gowda.
The BBMP has already issued notices to the traders warning them not to alter the physical structure of the building. That apart, the lease agreement also states that BBMP is the custodian of the property and the tenants or lessees cannot alter the physical structure of the building, said sources in BBMP. The Palike has also issued notices through the media warning that the traders would be held responsible for any untoward incident as the structure has not been approved by the BBMP, added sources.
The traders should have submitted their renovation plans for BBMP’s approval. The BBMP was not informed about their plans on renovation. It cannot take blame for any further accidents by allowing them to carry out business on the renovat d structure, said sources. The traders have spent a whopping Rs 1.5 crore to give a fresh lease of life to the market. General secretary of the Russell Market Traders’ Association, Mr Mohammad Idrees Choudhury, said reputed engineers had been engaged for renovation and a stability report has been sought from them. They were also involved in building Bengaluru International Airport, he claimed.