Bengaluru: Though Ganesh Charturthi is around the corner, Pottery town is witnessing low-key activity, after the BMRCL announced that it will acquire a major chunk of land for metro rail.
The potters are facing a space crunch, and they have reportedly cut down their activities by 80%. The Ganesha festival season commences on September 2.
The clay Ganesha idol makers in the area are finding it difficult to exhibit their idols, which they usually used display on a large piece of land adjacent to Pottery Town.
This area has been marked by BMRCL for the underground Metro station, as part of its Dairy Circle-Nagwara Phase 2 project.
“BMRCL has already started digging up the corporation school ground and vacant land at the entry to Pottery Town. Because of space constraint, the count of the Ganesha idols has been reduced to mere 20 per cent of what it used to be. Last year, we had put up 200 big Ganesha idols on display on the vacant land, but this time we have no space and we cannot display big Ganesha idols in our small homes. The 20 per cent of the stock which we normally sell, which has dampened the spirit of our fraternity.” said Ramesh, a potter based in Pottery Town.
Though some sheds are being built at one corner for the idols to be displayed, it will not be enough.
The BMRCL is building an underground metro station at Pottery Town.
The area is home to families who have been dependent on the art of making traditional pottery and they have been living here right from the British era.
