New Delhi:It is the festive season in the capital Delhi, it is the time of rush of customers in the markets, but the continuous protests and rallies have increased the concern of the traders. Now traders have also signaled an all-out fight. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has written a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner demanding not to allow any rally, dharna or protest march in Central and Old Delhi including Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, India Gate, Rajghat and Delhi Gate till November 11 i.e. Bhaiya Dooj.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal claimed that between October 1 and November 1, Delhi's business has suffered a loss of about Rs 14 thousand crore. According to him, due to continuous protests in October, traffic was disrupted in Central Delhi, which caused a loss of about Rs 3,000 crore to the retail market, hotels, restaurants and transport sector.
Maharally put a big lock on business
According to CTI data, due to the Maharally organized at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, business worth about Rs 11 thousand crore was affected in one day alone. The organization claims that about 2.5 lakh shops remained closed in the markets around the rally and up to 80 percent of the business came to a standstill. Major markets like Kashmiri Gate, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Chawri Bazaar, Daryaganj, Karol Bagh and Connaught Place were affected.
CTI has estimated a loss of Rs 8,800 crore in retail and wholesale trade, Rs 1,500 crore in transport and freight, Rs 500 crore in hotel-restaurant and tourism sector and Rs 200 crore in daily wage laborers and unorganized sector. According to the organization, three to four lakh potential customers coming from nearby cities also did not reach Delhi due to the fear of traffic disruption.
Three demands, otherwise a warning to hand over the keys
Brijesh Goyal said that Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhaiya Dooj are the most important days of the year for traders. At such a time, business can be completely ruined due to frequent closure of roads. CTI has suggested places like Burari, Alipur, Jasola and Yamuna Khadar for alternative rallies. Also, there has been a demand to keep the transportation and parking system smooth in Central Delhi till the festivals. Goyal warned that if Diwali business is affected, traders will hand over the keys of their shops to those organizing rallies and demonstrations. Now traders are demanding that there should be no conflict on the streets of Delhi during festivals, but prosperity should be seen in the markets.