Delhi markets shut as INDIA bloc rally disrupts trade (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: Around 2.5 lakh shops across 20 to 25 major markets in Delhi remained closed on Sunday as the INDIA bloc's rally at Ramlila Maidan disrupted commercial activity during the peak Diwali shopping season. Traders claimed that businesses suffered losses estimated at Rs 10,000-11,000 crore due to traffic restrictions, congestion and the disruption of goods movement.
Brijesh Goyal, chairman of the Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI), said nearly 80 per cent of the approximately three lakh shops in markets surrounding the rally venue remained shut. He attributed the closures to concerns over traffic restrictions and the expected arrival of large crowds.
The disruption also affected customers, suppliers and dealers travelling to Delhi from neighbouring towns. According to Goyal, around three lakh to four lakh people who regularly visit the capital for business stayed away, while nearly 5,000 vehicles, including tempos and trucks, could not transport goods to wholesale markets in Old Delhi and Central Delhi.
“Due to the rally held at Ramlila Maidan today, about 20 to 25 major markets in the vicinity were affected. These historic markets house approximately 3,00,000 shops. Based on data we received this evening from various WhatsApp groups—comprising traders from different markets under the CTA (Confederation of All India Traders)—about 80% of these shops—roughly 2,50,000 out of 3,00,000—remained closed today,” he said.
Goyal said loading and unloading operations were severely affected, leaving both wholesale and retail businesses struggling during one of the busiest trading periods of the year.
“The movement of goods—loading and unloading—was completely disrupted. During the peak Diwali season, these markets with individual turnovers collectively generate business worth approximately 10,000 to 12,000 crore rupees. Even where shops remained open, sales were virtually non-existent; there were simply no customers,” he said.
Claiming that traders had suffered losses of around Rs 10,000-11,000 crore, Goyal questioned who would compensate businesses for the disruption.
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“The question now arises: who will compensate for this loss, or who will make up for it—will the organisers do so?” he said.
He added that the timing of the rally had made matters worse, as Dhanteras shopping was scheduled just four days later. Traders typically depend on the movement of customers and timely deliveries of goods to meet the surge in festive demand.
Before the rally, several traders' associations in Delhi had raised concerns over holding the gathering at Ramlila Maidan during the peak festive shopping season. They warned that traffic restrictions and congestion could affect wholesale markets and disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of daily-wage workers.
The Automotive Parts Merchant Association (APMA), based at Kashmere Gate, had also warned that the rally could affect commercial activity within a three-kilometre radius, covering several major trading hubs.
APMA president Vinay Narang said traders supported the right to hold democratic protests but objected to the timing and location of the gathering.
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"We are not aligned with any political party, nor are we against democratic protests. But the timing and the venue are completely wrong. Ramlila Maidan is located in the middle of Asia’s largest commercial zone—with major markets like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Daryaganj, Mori Gate, and Kashmere Gate within a three-kilometre radius," Narang said.
The INDIA bloc organised the rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to protest alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Several prominent Opposition leaders attended the gathering, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
