Following the BBMP Commissioner’s order, the HSR ward officials have issued 36 closure notices to basement shops and eateries on 27th Main Road. Next on cards to receive them are business establishments on 24th Main, 5th Main and 9th Main, among others.
“We will give them only three-days time to shut shop,” said one BBMP official. “If they don’t, we will shut shop after taking approval from Bommanahalli Joint Commissioner.”
One meeting regarding this matter is to take place today with the joint commissioner is to happen this afternoon. We will update you when shops indeed get shut down by the BBMP. Right now, it’s all on paper.
“If the basement is used for parking, then it’s a good move by the BBMP,” says retailer Suraj Lulla. “It will also take care of fire hazards. However, BBMP has to be sensitive about small-time dealers who would have spent money on doing up the shop. Perhaps, the landlords should be asked to refund 50% of the rents they have collecte to the tenant. Ideally, the landlord should not have taken any rent at all.”
Shopkeepers believe that the rentals in HSR Layout is reaching the rentals of malls already. The rentals on 27th Main Road range from 120-200 per square foot. “The rentals are already too high; if the landlord also starts charging for freeing up basements for parking, it will become unsustainable for businesses.”
Retailers say that the rentals in the neighbouring Marathalli are 20-25% cheaper while Whitefield is 30-35% cheaper than HSR.
