Parking overhaul at K.R. Market brings seamless movement but hits small vendors’ businesses

Entering K.R. Market was itself a herculean task, but not anymore. Since the parking infrastructure was revamped and developed into a first-of-its-kind smart parking facility in the city, visitors have had a clear way to enter the parking facility.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has installed barricades and created a dedicated route to enter the facility, halving the width of Avenue Road for the purpose, for the past three months. Now, visitors do not have to endure prolonged queues and traffic at the starting point itself to enter the parking lot.

However, for small vendors outside the market, their business has not been the same. The merchants’ association has reported a reduced footfall against the backdrop of the parking arrangements and the ongoing infrastructure projects around the place.

Cramped up, dip in business

Asha, a flower vendor who sits just outside the parking lot, explained that the steel barricades installed to make way for vehicles produce it feel as though they are placed behind bars, trying to sell their products while visitors ignore them.

“All the vendors who used to do business on the Avenue Road have been moved behind the barricades. The whole stretch is cramped up with very little space to even sit,” she stated.

Radha. This person has been selling flowers outside the market for the last 20 years, explained the buyer behaviour shaped by the barricading, which has reportedly affected their businesses.

“Earlier, the visitors would stop at the starting point, buy a few items, and then enter the main market to purchase bigger items. Now that the barricades are installed, most visitors directly enter the parking area and from there head inside the market,” she explained.

Lost customers?

G.M. Divakar, president, K.R. Market Flowers Merchants’ Association, reiterated that there had been a fall in footfall, explaining, “The parking was closed for many months. It had already caused traditional buyers to explore other options. Furthermore, now the parking system is in place with a slightly expensive fee. It has also affected the footfall.”

He observed that even for employees of shops in the building, the paid parking is pinching their pockets, as they are spending around ₹2,000 more every month.

Mr. According to Divakar also, the recent demolition of 180 shops opposite the market, as part of the footpath clearance, is expected to affect businesses further.

Santhosha Chandrashekar, a fruit vendor, went on that those cleared shops had been operating for more than three decades and had frequent customers, who may stop coming now. “This market is known as a one-stop store for people to purchase various items. As of now more than 180 shops have been cleared, several items won’t be available for visitors. It could alter the footfall,” he stated.

“Several middle-class and lower-class people visit the market, and for them, parking charges will be an extra expense,” he added.

In the meantime, more than four stretches around the market have been taken up for civic works, leading to jam-packed roads. Such congestion across the market, according to the vendors, has additionally added to the reasons for reduced footfall.

GBA defends move

A senior engineer in charge of the market informed The Hindu that the barricading arrangement is deliberate to ensure seamless movement of vehicles so that the parking is organised. “Initially, it may appear to cause a fall in footfall, but when a system is in place, more buyers will visit and footfall will rise,” he explained.

According to the officer, the plan they envisioned is to accommodate more people with organised movement and vending systems. It will be beneficial to both vendors and buyers. “Even the parking charge is not expensive, as ₹15 per hour for two-wheelers and ₹30 for cars is a standard price across the city,” he explained.

The official further revealed that there are ongoing negotiations to redevelop the second floor of the market. It spans 9,000 sq. ft, and accommodate more shops. While barricading an actual road to facilitate access to the parking lot is itself an encroachment, they alleged.

, furthermore, the market premises will also be concretised for better vending demarcations.

Even so, the small-time vendors point out the contrast in shifting them behind barricades for smooth vehicle movement.