Russell Market Sustainability and Waste Management Model in Bangalore
Russell Market
Russell Market is a robust symbol of resilience, identity, and community in the bustling Shivaji Nagar area of Bengaluru. This market was first opened in 1927 during British colonial rule and was named after the Municipal Commissioner, T.B. Russell. It is much more than a marketplace. It serves as a hub for thousands of lower- and middle-class households and has over 475 different businesses offering items such as flowers, spices, meat, and dried fruits. The area is culturally rich, but is currently facing issues of sustainability and waste management, which are growing to alarming levels that threaten its existence and require action.
Waste Management: A Challenge Every Day
The market produces a lot of garbage every day, including plastic bags, packing materials, leftover butchering materials, floral waste, and organic waste from fruits and vegetables. This waste is quickly amplified due to the considerable foot traffic and continuous activities. Mohammed Idrees Choudhury, the market’s general secretary and owner of the well-known “DELICIOUS” store, admits the problem, saying, “The administration is attempting to keep the site clean and bright, but regular cleaning is important in congested public spaces.”
Russell Market is much more complicated due to the colonial-era infrastructure. Although it sits atop a body of water, allowing it to cool the context of the market naturally, it lacks any necessary infrastructure to meet the demands of civilised garbage disposal now. Organic waste piles sometimes grow in corners, creating hygiene problems and attracting insects. Plastic bags are still widely used because of convenience, intensifying the pollution of the environment by blocking already-strained drainage systems. Seasons with heavy rain make the situation worse. One vendor went on to explain that because of the recent rain, there was standing water leading to waterlogging, which impacted their delivery issues. These examples show that the market is fragile in terms of being impacted by environmental disturbance, but better than it was during COVID-19, when supply chains were entirely broken.
Small Steps Towards Sustainability
Examples of suppliers showing limited signs of embracing sustainability have started to appear. For example, they are looking for a plastic alternative to commodity distribution, including alternate packaging, such as paper bags or banana leaves. One vendor expressed, “Sustainability has demand, it just costs money.” The costs of eco-friendly goods may be a substantial hurdle for retailers working with thin margins. The retailers are also experimenting with composting. They use the produce as fertilizer in other areas rather than wasting it. While small for now, these grassroots initiatives signal a positive step toward environmental awareness. But a lot of sellers feel like they’re working alone. Choudhury laments the absence of backing from the city’s civic association, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). He said that since the market is a center of public activity, it should be governed by the government. Due to BBMP’s irregular waste collection, vendors are left to handle a large portion of the cleanup themselves, which increases their daily effort.
Government Reaction to Infrastructure
The market’s antiquated infrastructure is directly related to its waste problem. The dangers of neglect were brought to light by a prior fire that destroyed 147 stores. The government’s plan to demolish the market and replace it with a contemporary shopping center was fiercely opposed by the vendors. Vendors were able to successfully defend their right to stay with the help of the public and media, but the experience showed that cautious adjustments were necessary.
Rizwan Arshad, a newly elected MLA, wants to support the market. Reconstruction initiatives led by the BBMP are being reviewed, subject to budgetary approval. Composting units, appropriate waste segregation containers, better drainage, and even stronger gates are possible security-enhancing additions to this renovation.
However, gentrification worries sellers. There is no need to revamp Russell Market. One merchant said, “It has to be recognized.” Any modernization must address current issues while maintaining its historical essence. In order to enable merchants to more successfully implement sustainable practices, partnerships with NGOs could offer access to reasonably priced eco-materials and technical training.
Community, Culture, and Commerce
At Russell Market, sustainability goes beyond just garbage and includes the local economy and culture. The market becomes a vibrant funfair during celebration periods like Diwali and Ugadi. In the absence of waste, the activity at Russell Market during these celebrations demonstrates how vendors from a variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds collaborate to respond to demand and practice tradition. One of the biggest obstacles to acting in an environmentally conscious manner is still affordability. The majority of the customers are from low-income families and value affordability. Fruit vendors like Raju, 52, have stated that “If the pricing is excellent, the sales are good.” Without outside assistance, many people cannot afford composting facilities or biodegradable packaging.
Generational differences present another difficulty. Many of the younger members of the family are choosing office or tech work over market life. One seller worries that the next generation might not continue the traditions—or the need for sustainable modernization—saying, “What I could tell them about this market is that they may never see this invaluable creation.”
A Perspective on the Future
The future of Russell Market depends on finding a balance between environmental responsibilities, its history, and an optimistic view based on the community’s resilience, such as not leaving without a fight against demolition and pursuing sustainable options. We could potentially accelerate this transition with the focused help and support of consumers, NGOs, and citizens. The neighborhood’s relations may improve if cultural events like the once-famous Market Show are revived. These gatherings, which have historically honoured exceptional vendors, might also feature contests for eco-stalls and sustainability awards. This would preserve tradition while promoting green innovation. Taking advantage of historical tourism is an additional choice, providing guided tours that showcase the market’s design, history, and its sustainable practices, which may benefit public perception as well as provide revenue for upgrading infrastructure. By providing subsidies for composting facilities or biodegradable packaging, this burden on traders would be reduced.
Russell Market serves as a living repository of Bengaluru’s past and social connections in addition to being a marketplace. Its workers’ dedication and sustainability concerns are genuine.
With inclusive policy regulations and robust community action, the historic core could remain the city’s heart, as a vibrant space where sustainability, commerce, and culture converge.
About Authors: Hamsa G and Rituja Majumdar are second-year Media and Journalism students at Christ University. Their work reflects a keen interest in community issues, sustainability, and the intersection of culture and commerce, with a focus on amplifying local voices through responsible storytelling.
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