Connaught Place may see widespread closures on October 10 after the New Delhi Traders Association advised shops, offices and restaurants in the central Delhi commercial district to remain shut over the possibility of a large protest by the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, around Jantar Mantar and Lutyens’ Delhi.
The advisory, issued by NDTA president Atul Bhargava, cited concerns about possible violence, traffic disruption, property damage and injuries. It urged establishment owners to follow administrative directions and keep their businesses closed as a precaution. The report does not indicate that Delhi authorities have issued an order formally shutting Connaught Place.
According to the advisory, the proposed demonstration has created security concerns in and around Connaught Place. The area is one of Delhi’s most prominent retail, dining and office districts, and any large-scale restrictions around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street or nearby roads could affect access for employees, shoppers, visitors and delivery vehicles.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry has separately written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a complete ban on large sit-ins and protests at Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and in Lutyens’ Delhi from the start of Sharadiya Navratri on October 11 until Diwali. CTI said the festive period was the most important trading season of the year for Delhi’s 1.5 million traders.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal raised concerns that repeated demonstrations were affecting business during the festive period. The organisation’s general secretary Gurmeet Arora and office-bearer Ramesh Ahuja said roads and metro stations had been closed repeatedly over the previous week, disrupting access to Delhi’s main markets.
CTI said its latest survey showed a sharp decline in business, with Delhi’s overall trade reportedly falling to 30 per cent of normal levels. The supplied report does not provide the survey methodology, the comparison period or a market-wise breakdown of the figure.
The reported dispute highlights the operational tension between designated protest spaces in central Delhi and the surrounding commercial districts. Restrictions imposed for security or crowd management can affect road access, public transport connections and footfall in markets, while trader bodies are seeking restrictions during the festive shopping season.
The advisory applies to October 10 and asks businesses to remain alert and comply with directions from the administration. The report also refers to a separate advisory concerning the temporary closure of two Namo Bharat stations before the proposed CJP protest, with passengers directed to use Anand Vihar for travel. Further details on the protest schedule, police arrangements and any formal traffic or market closure order were not provided in the report.
