Adding another milestone to the growing commercial infrastructure of Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Vijayanagar MLA M Krishnappa inaugurated South India's first underground market on Sunday. Inspired by Delhi's Palika Bazar, the 13 crore 'Palike Bazaar', is situated just beside the Vijayanagar metro station and the bus stand.

The long-awaited Palike Bazar took 6 years of construction and is named after 16th-century Vijayanagar emperor Krishnadevaraya. The underground structure spans 1,365 square metres (136 metres long and 11 metres wide). The market has 79 shops capacity with a centralized air conditioning system and each shop gets about nine square metres of space. The hi-tech market will provide modern space to the local vendors, keeping them away from the bustling streets, away from the harsh weather conditions.

first underground market
Image Source: LiveLaw

According to Deccan Herald's report, Initially, BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) allowed ₹5 crore for the project in 2017-18, but as the construction continued they released an additional fund of ₹8 crore in 2021-22. The 13 crore project was given to Parichita Constructions, a private firm.

The first phase of the project was completed in 2022, which involved 40 shops, but the BBMP did not open it allowing the construction of the second phase as it would have required blocking of the entrance of the first phase.

Facilities in Palike Bazar

The much anticipated underground facility reportedly has eight entrances, 145 lights, two escalators and one lift. Apart from the centralized air conditioning, 31 shops have their separate air-conditioning. For safety purposes, the market has a fire extinguisher, while a power transformer has also been installed.

Krisnappa said he decided to build this facility after visiting Delhi's Palika Bazar. He further stated, "After the high court order, many vegetable vendors, who used to put up temporary shops on Chord Road, shifted to this place in Vijayanagar. This angered traders here as they had spent a lot of money to get trade licences and were paying rent. There was also a complaint from pedestrians as roads were occupied by street vendors. This underground market has been conceptualised to help everyone."

"We are also planning to build Valmiki Bhavan and Kemegowda Bhavan soon," he added.

CM Siddaramaiah credited Krishnappa for the project. He believes that this kind of market should be built in other parts of Bengaluru as well. “The Palike Bazaar aims to provide a modern and comfortable environment for vendors who previously had to endure harsh weather conditions while conducting their business on the streets,” the CM was quoted at the inauguration ceremony.

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