Russell Market to get a facelift, but preserve the heritage charm of the colonial era

It is mid-afternoon and the Russell Market in Shivajinagar looks quite deserted, with very few shops open and not more than four customers. Vendors inside the market say footfalls have gone down over the years due to the poor condition of the market. They explain that many vendors had moved out of the market area, and started their businesses on the footpaths and roads, which were more easily accessible to customers.

During the 2012 fire incident at the market, more than 170 out of 440 shops, and the general infrastructure of the market was destroyed.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Plans for the future

However, to bring back the bustling atmosphere and old charm, very soon, the Russell Market, one of Bengaluru’s iconic landmarks, is set to undergo a long-overdue restoration work while bringing in a new infrastructure behind the pre-existing market.

Built in 1927 during the British era, this marketplace has been a hub of activity for decades, offering everything from fresh produce and flowers to meat, dry fruits and exotic spices. However, years of neglect, accidents and infrastructure wear and tear have taken a toll on this heritage structure. During the 2012 fire incident at the market, more than 170 out of 440 shops, and the general infrastructure of the market was destroyed. The shops were given a basic makeover then. Since then, only the exterior of the market has been renovated, leaving the interiors and the roof untouched for more than a decade.

The renovation project, to be led by the city’s municipal authorities and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, aims to strike a balance between preserving the market’s architectural heritage and equipping it with modern amenities through a multistorey building with lifts, parking areas, cold storage and more facilities. 

 Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad said that the whole market is being designed in such a way that the heritage structure will be retained and restored and not demolished. 
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Vending certificates

Ahead of the restoration work, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be issuing vending certificates to about 475 vendors operating in the historic market. This exercise aims to identify genuine traders who have been conducting business in the market for many years.  

Speaking to The Hindu, Arshad said that since vendors are already tenants of the BBMP, there are records which will help them identify them and issue the cards easily. “We will also do a mahazar and physically visit the spot to understand if a tenant has transferred the tenant ship to somebody else or if a vendor is no more and their family is carrying on the business. There might be many people who have been running their businesses there for many years but do not have any records. All of this will be documented and verified, post which we will be issuing identity cards or vendor cards. The names of individuals who will receive the vendor card will be put up on a notice board inside the market, and if there is any anomaly or confusion, it can be clarified,” he added.  

Arshad said that the whole market is being designed in such a way that the heritage structure will be retained and restored and not demolished.

“We do not want tenants to vacate the whole market. We plan to shift them in phases. Tenants who are in the heritage structure will be temporarily shifted to a space we have identified, and once the structure is restored, they will be asked to shift back to the heritage structure. The heritage structure has a sheet roof which was damaged during the fire incident, a stability report certificate has suggested to have a permanent roof, which will be the only addition the heritage structure and no other changes will be made. Behind the heritage structure is where the actual multistorey building with amenities like car parking, lifts, cold storage and more is going to be constructed,” he added. The multistorey building will come up in the area where the meat and fish stores are currently situated.

Flower vendors inside Russell market.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

To be completed in 2027

The year 2027 marks the 100th year of Russel Market’s existence, and the new structure is planned to be completed by then. The revamp of the market will be done at an estimated cost of ₹40 crore.

“If more funds are required, we will request the government for the same, and the construction will happen in phases. The BBMP recently floated the tender for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), and we are getting offers from many big companies. However, we are yet to finalise one. Once everything is finalised, we plan to begin the construction work by the end of this year, and the goal is to finish it for the 100th year celebration,” he explained.  

The General Secretary added that the new structure could help bring back the old-world charm to the market through events and shows.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Mixed reactions

When asked how they viewed the restoration work, many vendors said that they were unaware of the plans, while a few others appreciated the move.

“I do not have any information about the market renovation or about receiving the vendor card,“ said a flower seller who did not want to be named. He has been working at the market for 10 years. Ameer, whose family has had a flower shop at the market since its inception, said that he too was not aware of the restoration. “For many years they have been renovating the outer area of the market, but not the inside,” he added. Another flower vendor who has been in the market for 25 years said, “We have not been informed about the renovation. Relocation will take a toll as we will lose our regular customers.“

On the other hand, Gajendra Babu, whose family has been running a vegetable store at the market for the past 80 years, said that renovation is a necessity and there is no other way. “The market roof is made of sheet which is also damaged, and the market is filled with water whenever it rains, the walls are in a bad shape too. They know that renovation will take a lot more time than announced. Hopefully the work will begin soon,” he said.  

Mohammed Idrees Choudhury, General Secretary, of Russell Market Traders’ Association, whose family has had a dry fruits store at the marker since its inception, said that many are unaware of the renovation work as they are hardly present at the market. “Many vendors come early in the morning, sell their produce by putting up stalls outside the market and are gone by 11 a.m. Out of 475 vendors, only 150 vendors operate from inside the market. The rest sit on the roadside as customers do not show interest in coming inside, leaving the market empty. We can not blame the vendors, as the condition of the market is bad,” he said. 

Choudhury explained that one of the major reasons customers refuse to get into the market is the lack of vehicle parking space. “The new building that will come behind the market area will have a very huge parking facility, which will resolve most of the problems.”

Inside Russell market.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Shows and fairs

The General Secretary added that the new structure could help bring back the old-world charm to the market through events and shows. “Every year, since the inception of the market, the British and the then municipal bodies would conduct an event called the Market Show. In this event all vendors would put up stalls to display their produce. There would be lights and the stalls would be decorated. During the show, awards would be given under various categories like best fruits, best vegetables, best flower, best fish and more.” Hundreds would flock to see best quality produce.

However, the last show was more than four decades ago. It was stopped as the quality kept deteriorating. Choudhury said that restarting shows and events like these can bring back the old charm of the market, as the new new infrastructure will create more space, more facilities and attract customers.