Bangalore Metro: Train rolls, trade doesn’t

For three years, shops along CMH Road suffered losses because of Metro work. Now that train services have started, people are planning to give their shops a new look to woo Metro commuters.

Mathew A of Liberty stores is one among them. “Most big shops have shifted to 100 Feet Road, where it is easier to market one’s product. But with the Metro work completed along the stretch, business will improve although it will take time,” he said.

“A number of shops were closed and many others hardly had any business during Metro construction. Even now, they wear a neglected look. We have to give them a new look so that customers start coming here again,” he said.

B Shankaran of BP Bakery, too, plans renovation works.
“We’ve to paint the shop and made it more spacious for people to stand and eat,” he said.

Raaga, a restaurant, too, will be renovated. Its cashier Mohammad Mustafa said renovation works to the tune of `10 lakh had been planned. “We are adding another floor,” he said.

But there are many others who are waiting for their businesses to pick up before going in for renovation works.

KS Harish, proprietor of Hallmark Franchise, will wait till February to begin renovation works. “For the last three years, there was hardly any profit. With Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day coming, we hope to make some gain in the next few months,” he said.

Shivshankar of Kanti Sweets has chosen to wait before reaping a profit after renovation work at the shop. “During festivals, there is good business. By beginning renovation right now, we will lose out. So we’ve decided to wait till January.”

NS Ramamohan, secretary of CMH Road Shops and Establishments’ Association, believes that it will take time for businesses to improve. But he is certain that CMH Road will one day turn into a Brigade Road.

Irshad Ahmed, a shopowner, said that considering the losses many shops suffered during the last three years, investment in renovation was risky now.