E-goods dealers stare at losses amid road excavation near SP Road

NT Bengaluru

Buying laptops and other electronic items on Sadar Patrappa(SP) Road near KR Market has become like an adventure sport with large pipelines lying all around and waiting to be installed after the recent excavation of a road connecting the street. Located in the heart of the city, SP Road is long known for its businesses dealing in electronics, computers and related spare parts at subsidized rates.

According to local residents, the Old Tank Cutchery (OTC) Road from Silver Jubilee Park leading to SP Road was dug up by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) at least four days ago. This has happened at a time when sales are expected to rise, owing to end of the year purchases and seasonal holidays. Dealers have already reported a 50 to 60 per cent dip in business and daily customer count and blame it on the road work making the area inaccessible. For instance, reaching Gopal’s electronic store on the road has become an extremely difficult task. According to Gopal, the sales have dipped in the past week by half. He is unsure about the quantum of losses he is likely to incur and more so considering the BBMP’s poor track record in completing their projects on time. “We’re hoping for corporate orders. Let’s see,” he said ending on an optimistic note. Ashwin, who sells electrical and internet cables in bulk, is staring at a possible loss of business by at least 60 per cent. He claims that he was not consulted by the civic officials before they started work. “We had objected to it initially but to no avail.

This could’ve been taken up smoothly, had the authorities issued a notice regarding the excavation before starting work,” he added. He is also staring at big losses, considering the nature of business deals with loading and unloading of bulk items now becoming difficult. “It would be a hassle for labourers and trucks to enter and help get in the required goods with very little space available,” he lamented.