Market tales: Exploring Bengaluru’s centres of trade

In this six-part series, The Hindu takes stock of prominent markets in Bengaluru, reviewing the existing infrastructure and progress of redevelopment plans.

Updated - August 22, 2026 06:09 pm IST

Crowd seen at Krishnarajendra Flower Market (K.R. Market), in Bengaluru on August 19, 2026. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

In this six-part series, The Hindu’s reporters take stock of prominent markets in Bengaluru, tracking the progress of a few that have been marked for overhaul and redevelopment, while reviewing the infrastructure, footfall, amenities, and other issues that have been continuously flagged by vendors and customers alike.

The much-delayed redevelopment of Malleswaram flower market is almost complete, and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is finalising a concessionaire agreement for its operation and maintenance and is ready to hand over shops meant for flower vendors in the old market to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). This has raised hopes of vendors of finally moving into the redeveloped market.

Entering K.R. Market was a Herculean task until three months ago, but not anymore. Ever since the parking infrastructure was revamped and developed into a first-of-its-kind smart facility in the city, visitors have had a clear way to enter the space.

From a one-tonne composting plant and refrigerated storage for animal waste to a 500-metre skywalk and two levels of basement parking, the Russell Market redevelopment plan is finally moving towards execution after years of proposals, delays and piecemeal repairs.

Much like its century-old existence, the long-pending redevelopment of Johnson Market has remained stuck. A redevelopment plan has been proposed again this year, but it has not yet progressed to the detailed project report (DPR) stage, leaving little clarity on what the proposed market will look like or how its existing traders will be accommodated.

The Krishna Devaraya Palike Bazaar, the city’s first-of-its-kind underground air-conditioned market in West Bengaluru’s Vijayanagar, appears to have no light at the end of the tunnel, with vendors’ associations divided over occupying the shops, two years after its opening.

The redevelopment of the Jayanagar market, taken up following a fire accident in 2009, has been abandoned half way for years now, amid vendors refusing to vacate their shops in the old building. Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), which was tasked with the job, developed one of the proposed four towers, stalled the project midway and returned it to the newly formed Bengaluru South City Corporation (BSCC).

Published - August 21, 2026 07:20 pm IST

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