Aviation view of the GKVK campus in Yelahanka. | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
The state government builds an international flower market on five acres of land in Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra (GKVK) in North Bengalur and is considering moving traders from KR. However, the project has already raised issues of environmentalists, because 942 trees and flower traders will be broken for the project, claiming that relocation from the city core will hit their business.
GM Divationar, President, KR Market Flowers’ Association, said they were not consulted on any relocation plan and stated that their pushing on GKVK from the centrally located CR market in the city would not hit their business. “GKVK is one corner of the city, very close to another floral market coming in the CHICKBALLAPUR APMC, and has no connectivity from all areas. The decline will fall drastically,” he said. Currently, 136 stores are working on the KR market.
The head of the official who is familiar with the development confirmed the Hinduists that the main reason for considering the relocation was to increase business for farmers and traders. “Farmers tried to expand their business because of infrastructure problems, despite growing more flower varieties. The project aims to strengthen their business,” the officer said, adding that not everyone would be forced to move.
“The KR Market and SJP Road starts at 2 o’clock in the morning and end around 7:00 due to frequent transport overload. Due to time restrictions and absence of storage facilities, farmers and intermediaries suffer losses,” part of the committee planning the project said.
The GKVK project, which is to be implemented by the Marketing Committee of Agriculture (APMC), will accommodate 250-300 shops and will include a digital auction hall, auction platform, storage, parking, incubation center, color production facilities, flower art paper production, concrete extraction, flower preparation and more. The practical exhibition to UHS students is also claimed.
942 trees to be cut
Meanwhile, the documents reviewed by Hindu show that the five acres rented for the purpose of the University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS), which is associated with the Bagakotan UHS, has 942 trees that must be drunk to appear. Trees include five manga varieties (Mallika, Amrapali, Banganpalli, Kesar and Badami), a total of 247 trees, 120 silver oaks, as well as cashew and coconut trees, all between eight and ten years, bringing an annual yield of 4.85 lakh.
“GKVK is one of the good lung spaces in the city and 942 trees for the construction of the market on the university campus is not acceptable. The government should carry out a project assessment and environmental impact assessment and organize public consultations,” said V. Ramprasad, resident and lake protection activists.
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Published – August 30, 2025 9:18
