Bakery boom sparks public outcry in Bengaluru over late-night nuisance

Bengaluru: Have bakeries, which have been the popular quick-eat joints for decades in the city, turned out to be a nuisance in neighbourhoods?
The answer seems to be a ‘yes' if one were to go by the complaints made against them to city police commissioner B Dayananda during a public interaction programme organised by the west division police on Saturday. Moved by the ordeal faced by those residing beside such outlets, the police commissioner ordered the police department to ensure that all bakeries have CCTV cameras installed on their premises. "If bakeries have not installed or refuse to have CCTV cameras, just get them closed," Dayananda said.
In fact, public anger against bakeries has been rising in recent times as these local snacking points transform into informal gathering spots for high-decibel youngsters. "Imagine a group of 10 people standing outside the bakery cracking jokes and cursing each other till midnight, how can the children and the elderly sleep in houses nearby? Police should crack down on crowds outside bakeries as they create nuisance," said Arun J, a resident of Nagarbhavi.
At the police-public interaction, Malathahalli resident Hanumanthu turned the spotlight on bakeries, stating: "Bakeries have mushroomed all over the place. They have become a nuisance for residents."
"In the night, the scene outside a bakery is the same as that of a bar. People are seen fighting over trivial issues. Bakeries no longer seem to come across friendly-neighbourhood joints," another elderly resident added.
Kerepalya Kshemabhivrudhi Sangha president Subramani pointed to the bakery-related problems in Rajarajeshwarinagar and said these have worsened traffic problems in residential areas. "People park their vehicles haphazardly before getting into a bakery or a hotel," he said.
Onus on customers
However, bakery owners have a different story. Many said they have noticed a shift in customer behaviour, where instead of buying or eating quickly and leaving, groups linger outside, engaging in discussions and smoking.
The residents also complained about sound pollution, littering, and general disturbances. "We cannot force our customers to keep their noise levels low or to leave the place immediately, it will hit our business," a bakery owner in Prakashnagar said. There have also been instances where local goons have attacked bakery owners for trying to regulate or indulge in extortion.
Even Vijayanagar had faced such problems, said Anand Gowda, a resident, before adding: "But after we brought it to the notice of police, patrolling has increased."
Dayananda directed jurisdictional police to enhance patrolling and disperse unruly crowds that remain parked for longer duration near bakeries.