BENGALURU, 10 MARCH

Chaos broke out at the bustling Krishnarajendra (KR) Market on Monday afternoon after a heap of unattended garbage caught fire, triggering panic among vendors, shoppers, and commuters. Thick smoke engulfed parts of the market, including the vicinity of the Bala Gangadharanatha Swamy (BGS) Flyover, causing tension and traffic jams for some time.
Police along with a fire and emergency services team rushed to the spot and managed to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading further. No casualties were reported.
According to vendors, the incident highlights the long-standing negligence by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in maintaining the market premises. Despite KR Market generating over Rs 10 lakh in monthly revenue for the BBMP, vendors lament that garbage collection and disposal remain grossly mismanaged, increasing the risk of fire breakouts.
"The BBMP has turned a blind eye to illegal garbage dumping and encroachments here. We have complained several times, but no action has been taken," said a vegetable vendor.
KR Market, which has been operational for over 80 years, continues to grapple with sanitation and waste management issues despite its prominence as one of the largest wholesale markets in the city.