‘2.5 lakh shops shut, Rs 10,000 crore loss’: Delhi traders blame INDIA bloc rally for business disruption | India News

Delhi traders claim Rs 10,000 crore loss as 2.5 lakh shops shut during INDIA bloc rally.

NEW DELHI: Around 2.5 lakh shops across 20 to 25 major markets in Delhi remained closed on Sunday, with traders claiming losses of Rs 10,000-11,000 crore due to disruptions caused by the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan during the peak Diwali shopping season.Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal said nearly 80% of the approximately three lakh shops in markets surrounding the rally venue were shut amid concerns over traffic restrictions, congestion and the expected arrival of large crowds.Goyal said the disruption also affected the movement of customers, suppliers and dealers from towns surrounding the national capital. According to him, around three lakh to four lakh people who regularly travel to Delhi for business did not arrive, while approximately 5,000 vehicles, including tempos and trucks, could not transport goods to 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.He added that loading and unloading operations were disrupted, affecting wholesale and retail businesses during one of the busiest 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 incurred losses of around Rs 10,000-11,000 crore, Goyal questioned who would compensate businesses for the disruption.“The question now arises: who will compensate for this loss, or who will make up for it—will the organisers do so?” he said.Goyal said the timing of the rally had compounded the impact on businesses, with Dhanteras shopping scheduled four days later and traders depending on the movement of customers and goods to meet festive demand.Traders had warned of business losses ahead of rallyAhead of the gathering, traders across several major commercial hubs in Delhi had opposed holding the rally at Ramlila Maidan during the peak Diwali shopping season. They had warned that traffic congestion and restrictions could disrupt wholesale markets and affect the livelihoods of thousands of daily-wage workers.The Automotive Parts Merchant Association (APMA), based at Kashmere Gate, said the location of the rally could affect commercial activity across a three-kilometre radius, covering major trading hubs in the capital.APMA president Vinay Narang said traders were not opposed to democratic protests but objected to the timing and choice of venue.“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.