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

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.

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.

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. 

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.