Bengaluru,  City civic body has shut iconic British era Russell Market till April 14, following physical distancing amid Covid lockdown not being maintained, an official said on Saturday.

"Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to close down the iconic Russell Market till April 14 midnight as physical distancing measures were not being followed despite repeated warnings," tweeted B.H. Anil Kumar, BBMP Commissioner.

Built in the 1920s, Russell Market was named after T.B. Russell, a top British official in the civic body.

Police blocked the market entrance with barricades and all the shopkeepers shuttered their stores in the complex.

Meanwhile, Kumar has said that Rs 2,000 each has been deposited in the bank accounts of 15 lakh eligible beneficiaries here under the Construction Workers' Fund.

Similarly, the Commissioner said the government has stopped distributing free cooked food and will instead supply food grains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders and migrant labour.

"Free milk distribution to continue. Indira Canteens will revert to serving breakfast at Rs 5 and lunch and dinner at Rs 10 per plate from Saturday," he said.

On Saturday, the civic body distributed 1,500 free milk packets at Puttenahalli Ward number 187.

Kumar said NGOs will be allowed to distribute food packets the place of their choosing.