The typical flavour of everyday in Malleswaram is marked by signature aromas, colours and a buzz that is unlike any other area in the city...the fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, vendors loading and unloading paraphernalia and shoppers desperately bargaining price in the market, it an experience that still reminds one of the old world charm.
But this landmark area might soon find a place in the pages of history going by the plans of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Development Authorities (BDA), who are planning to construct another mall in the area, right in the marketplace, according to the residents and merchants in the area. They state that, besides Mantri Mall and Orion Mall, this 50-year-old market, which is home to over 249 shops, is paving the way for a commercial complex.
The reason for the mall: increasing concentration of population combined with shrinking urban space.
But the residents question, "With two malls already existing in Malleswaram, does the area require another mall? Aren't we losing our tradition and culture by welcoming a mall in the heritage marketplace? Are we failing to retain the heritage?"
This marketplace was renovated 18 months back, but surprisingly, the authorities have already demolished the public toilets and the roof of the waste converter which was part of the renovation.
Are these indications that the authorities concerned will soon demolish the marketplace too?
Merchants' perspective
As one enters the market, the scenario takes one back to the olden days, when vendors sold fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and other materials required for the pooja.
It is sheer feast to witness the market adorned with fresh products delivered from neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and from outskirts of the city like Yeshwanthpur, Nelamangala, Tumkur, Magadi and other places.
Many young merchants became nostalgic when they spoke about how their fathers and grandfathers ventured into business in this market.
For N Venkataswamy, a merchant, the shop he owns today was set up by his father years ago. Recalling the olden days, Venkataswamy said, "In those days, my father sold pooja items on the footpath. After this market was built, I supported in the business." His voice dipped down when he spoke about the upcoming mall which will grab away their livelihood.
According to Dr R V Raghavendra, Managing trustee of Ananya GML Cultural association and also resident of Malleswaram, taking a walk through Malleswaram market is a pleasure and people can easily associate themselves with their culture.
He said, "Market and heritage places have to be saved by maintaining hygiene and cleanliness rather than copying other cultures. With coming of new malls, this place is no more Malleswaram but 'Mall'-eswaram."
"People bargain and buy items worth even ` 2 here. But is it possible in the malls?," questioned N Shivakumar, a 32-year-old vegetable merchant.
The fear of displacement is instilled in the minds of the vendors as neither the BDA nor the BBMP have given them any assurance of providing shops in the mall and support their livelihood.
Malleswaram is also home to many temples like Tirumala Thirupathi Devastanam (TTD), Sai Baba temple, Kadu Malleswaram temple, Laksmi Venkateshwara temple, Krishna Temple and others. Regular temple visitors opine that Malleswaram market is a place where they find all necessary items for a pooja.
Ravikumar Das, resident of Srirampuram and also a TTD temple authority said, "I have been purchasing fruits, vegetables, flowers and other materials required for pooja from here for last 35 years. Any important occasions at home, I first pay a visit here. It is impossible to find such fresh provision in any mall. Belonging to the older generation, I find it difficult even to find the entrance of a mall, let alone the market there. Also, I cannot afford to pay ` 5,000 for an item worth ` 1,000. Besides providing quality products, the merchants here also provide door-to-door service."
Merchants who sell fruits, vegetable and flowers complain about the lack of parking place for two-wheelers as an added disadvantage for them.
Shivakumar said, "Over three years ago, parking was prohibited on either side of the road citing the problem of traffic congestion. But later, BBMP installed a bus stop in front of the market which serves no purpose as not many commuters wait for BMTC buses."
Counter views
"Sampige road is in itself a narrow lane and constructing a mall will add to the traffic congestion. Constructing a mall will in no way help the vendors here. Until now, the authorities have not given any assurance of providing them a different place. There are over 300 families making a livelihood in the market but promising all of them a shop in the mall is nothing but a false promise. Constructing a mall is just a commercial venture with no public interested is involved."
- Shaveez Ahmed, committee member of Malleswaram Commercial Traders' Association.
"There is no mall coming up in this market. Instead, a four storey building will be built in which the basement and the first floor will be dedicated for the parking while the other two floors will be acquired by BBMP office and the market. This will help the merchants and the residents in multiple ways. With the basement and first floor reserved for parking, over 700 bikes and 300 cars can be parked here. Earlier, the garbage had to be thrown on the footpath, but this yet-to-be-built market has promised a waste management technique as well. Also, the new market will include a cold storage to avoid merchants incurring loss as it will increase the life span of the vegetables, fruits and flowers. Sampige road will eventually be a no parking zone which further help in decreasing the commotion of traffic and ensuring free vehicular movement. An alternative arrangement on the road leading to the 13th cross will be made until the construction is completed. According to me, this is a wonderful project undertaken by the BDA and BBMP."
- Ravishankar, President of Malleswaram Commercial Traders' Association.
Corporator's take
There is no mall coming up here, but yes, a new market is being planned. In this traditional market currently only 50 -60 shops are functional, while the rest is used as storage shops. Over the years, many have been conducting footpath business as there was no much sales in the market. However, merchants here formed an association and gradually stopped paying even the minimum rent to the corporation, to which the market belongs. Since BDA is a profitable organisation, the government decided to handover the market to them as the corporation was unable to recover from the loss they were incurring. Reconstruction of the mall was supposed to take place, but due to elections and the temporary stay from court brought by the merchants, has led a delay. The coming up of the new market will help the residents park their vehicles and also ease the vehicular movement.
- G Manjunath Raju, corporator of Kadu Malleswaram ward