Krishna Raja Market in Bengaluru opens after 15-day COVID-19 closure

Two of Bengaluru's biggest markets - the Krishna Raja (KR) market and the Kalasipalyam market -- will be open to traders and customers starting from Tuesday.

It was closed since June 22 following a rise in COVID-19 cases in the area, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) informed.

The BBMP also rolled back its previous order to shift the Kalasipalya market to the less populated Anekal area.

According to the BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad, all guidelines and precautions will be taken with the opening of the market.

"All precautions and guidelines decision has been taken to reopen KR and Kalasipalyam market. The BBMP has deployed 22 marshals on special duty to maintain social distance in the market. More than 2,000 shops will have to maintain standard protocol as per the guidelines," he said.

Shopkeepers in the area, however, lamented that although the market was open, the guidelines would be a hindrance to their businesses.

"The guidelines say that shopkeepers are not allowed to sell any fruits or vegetables outside the store. Without displaying my vegetables, how will I sell them?" asked Iqbal, a vegetable vendor in the area.

( With inputs from ANI )