Four earthmovers went about demolishing the old structures as shopkeepers tried to gather their belongings in the Malleswaram market on Thursday.
When the demolition began, a few traders tried to protest. However, they withdrew after the police, who were present, threatened to detain them.
Chandrashekhar, a trader, said that his family has been selling flowers and puja items at the market for three generations. “The traders were assured rehabilitation. Though there were 248 traders, the BBMP has built only 95 shops,” he said. Majunath M, another flower seller, said that though the case pertaining to the market development was pending in the High Court, the BBMP had gone ahead with the demolition. BBMP’s Joint Commissioner (West zone) Lakshminarasaiah said the BBMP and BDA had a joint development agreement to construct a new market at a cost of Rs. 132 crore. The new market will have 250 shops and multi-level parking facility.
