Multicultural festival to be held at Bengaluru's Church Street in February 2019.

BENGALURU: The most awaited, the renovated Church Street which looks classy and attractive. But the traders are disappointed and they continue to whine regarding the lack of footfall which is resulting in losses to their businesses. 

They are blaming it on the long duration that the authorities have taken for the completion of the project. Now, in a bid to reboot the tony stretch, an open street carnival is being planned.

As it is supported by the BBMP and the trader community, this multicultural festival which is said to be held on a Sunday in February 2019 aims to grab the attention of the city’s crowd with activities like music, dance, stand-up comedy, workshops and movie screening. 

There will also be better shopping options and food stalls. The road will be closed down for vehicles so that the visitors can reclaim the entire road space during the event.

“Flevent, an event management company, will organise the event and it will manage funding through sponsorship and other means. Traders and residents’ associations are enthusiastic about the idea. We are giving necessary permissions,” a BBMP official said.

Deepak Sood, a resident of Church Street, said that “Prolonged road renovation works ruined business in the area, which once used to a major hub. We hope the carnival will the glory back.”

A manager who owns an eating joint on the street said that many of their regular customers have moved on to other hubs in the city. “Even during weekends, the buzz is missing.”

Rahul Varyani, co-founder, Flevent, said: “The aim is to activate the newly built street. There are examples like Equal Street in Mumbai, wherein day-long fitness and fun activities are held for the masses, to reclaim the streets from traffic snarls and perpetual honking. The Church Street carnival will also see participation of various artistes.”

The renovation work of the 750-metre stretch began in February 2017 and after skipping several deadlines, it was thrown open to the public in March 2018.