New Delhi: Delhi’s traders have demanded a temporary ban on rallies, sit-ins and protest marches at major locations across the national capital until November 11, the day of Bhaiya Dooj, citing massive financial losses during the ongoing festive shopping season.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), in a letter dated November 3, urged Delhi Police Commissioner to prevent demonstrations at prominent locations, including Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, India Gate, Rajghat, Delhi Gate and other parts of Central and Old Delhi.
The traders’ organisation expressed concern over repeated traffic disruptions and demonstrations throughout October, claiming that businesses had suffered estimated losses of approximately Rs 14,000 crore between October 1 and November 1.
According to CTI, protests and marches at Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Patel Chowk and Janpath disrupted commercial activity, affecting retailers, hotels, restaurants and transport operators.
The organisation estimated that businesses lost around Rs 3,000 crore between October 1 and October 30 due to these disruptions. It further claimed that the November 1 mega rally at Ramlila Maidan alone resulted in losses of approximately Rs 11,000 crore across different sectors.
The retail and wholesale trade sector reportedly accounted for Rs 8,800 crore of these losses. CTI claimed that nearly 2.5 lakh shops remained closed on the day of the rally, bringing around 80 per cent of commercial activity in the affected areas to a standstill.
The transport and logistics sector reportedly suffered losses of Rs 1,500 crore, while hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses faced losses of approximately Rs 500 crore. The informal sector and daily wage workers were estimated to have lost another Rs 200 crore.
The traders’ body also highlighted the difficulties faced by customers travelling from neighbouring cities, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad, Sonipat and Meerut. It claimed that several customers cancelled their shopping plans because of traffic congestion.
With Dhanteras on November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhaiya Dooj on November 11, CTI said the coming days were crucial for Delhi’s commercial community.
The organisation has placed three demands before the police: prohibit demonstrations at major commercial locations until November 11, designate alternative protest venues such as Burari, Alipur, Jasola and Yamuna Khadar, and ensure smooth traffic movement and adequate parking facilities.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal warned that traders could be forced to hand over their shop keys to protest organisers if further demonstrations continued to disrupt business during the festive season.
