BENGALURU: Commercial Street has got a makeover and owners of shops and establishments on the road are raving about it.
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa formally declared the road open on Friday afternoon. "It is the first time in 75 years that a chief minister has visited Commercial Street, and 150 years since any infrastructural work was taken up on this road. Although there was a bit of delay due to operational challenges, we will remain grateful to the government of Karnataka for considering Commercial Street under Bengaluru Smart City Limited, which took up the stretch for redevelopment," said Sanjay M, president, Commercial Street Shop Owners' Association.
Work on the over 450 metre-long street began in March 2020 and was to be completed in December, but the pandemic played spoilsport. Adil Fazal, owner of Fazals, said, "It has taken some time, but it has come out very well. In my opinion, it is one the best streets in the country. The way the street has been remodelled, we are confident it will attract shoppers and tourists."
Although some works such as removal of overhead cables, laying of cobblestones towards the end of the street and clearing debris are still pending, shop owners are happy with the outcome.
Zoher Ibrahim from Brownshop said, "We have all gone through a lot since the Smart City work began. Speaking of Commercial Street, we are confident that good times lie ahead." The carriageway has yellow, grey and red cobblestones and tall lamps.
Anand Dadu, managing director of Anand Sweets, said, "We have suffered for the past two years, but the result has brought big relief. We believe business on this road will soon pick up. The street has a very European look."
Shopowners, however, are concerned about the lack of parking facility. "People abroad are used to walking. It will take time for people here to get used to parking their vehicles elsewhere and walking to the street, but they will eventually get there," Anand added.
