Parking overhaul at K.R. Market brings seamless movement but hits small vendors’ businesses
A new smart parking facility at K.R. Market in Bengaluru has improved traffic flow but negatively impacted small vendors. Merchants report that new barricades have reduced footfall and hindered their ability to conduct business.
Why it matters
It highlights the tension between urban modernization projects and the livelihoods of informal street vendors.
Entering K.R. Market was itself a herculean task, but not anymore. For the past three months, 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. 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 amid the parking arrangements and the ongoing infrastructure projects around the place.
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