Central Delhi markets including Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar and parts of Old Delhi are set to shut or restrict operations on October 10 because of a protest at Jantar Mantar, raising concerns over public safety, customer access and festive-season business.
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) has advised shops, offices, restaurants and other establishments in Connaught Place to remain vigilant and close as a precautionary measure. The association said the decision followed advisories from authorities and concerns over possible damage to shops and property during the expected protest.
“NDTA strictly advises all shops and establishments, including offices and restaurants, in CP to stay vigilant and close down as a precautionary safety measure on Oct 10,” the association said in its advisory. It asked establishment owners and occupiers to cooperate to avoid possible injury and property loss.
NDTA president Atul Bhargava said the association would write to the authorities seeking the relocation of the protest from Jantar Mantar, citing its impact on businesses in the surrounding commercial areas.
In Karol Bagh, members of the Ajmal Khan Road Vyapar Mandal said traders had been advised to keep shops closed until 2 pm. The group said it would review the situation and decide on further action depending on developments. Devraj Baweja of Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh said a shutdown had also been announced for Sadar Bazar on Saturday.
Traders in Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk and other Old Delhi markets expressed concern about the closure call, particularly because Navratri begins on October 11 and Dussehra and Diwali follow during one of the busiest sales periods of the year. Some traders also said they had not received a formal circular from Delhi Police directing markets to shut.
“This is a crucial season when traders expect huge business. Keeping shops closed even for a day can cause significant losses, as stocks for the upcoming festivals are procured on credit or through bank loans,” said Sanjay Bhargava of Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal. He said delayed sales could directly affect traders’ finances.
The issue has also become linked to wider concerns over access to commercial districts during protests. Traders said frequent demonstrations in the capital had resulted in metro station closures and movement restrictions in several areas, reducing customer footfall and affecting deliveries and shopping trips.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry has called for restrictions on large-scale protests in key commercial zones, including Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg and Lutyens’ Delhi, until Diwali. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said traders supported the right to peaceful protest but were concerned about the economic effect of large gatherings in central commercial areas.
Goyal claimed that Delhi’s overall business had fallen to around 30% of normal levels over the previous three days. He also said the number of shoppers arriving from outside Delhi had declined from 2 lakh-3 lakh a day to 40,000-50,000, while local footfall had fallen by more than 50% because of metro closures and other disruptions.
Hemant Gupta of the Bhartiya Udyog Vyapaar Mandal said Delhi had more than a million business establishments employing over 10 million people directly. The immediate decisions for October 10 remain with individual market associations and traders, based on local conditions and developments around the protest.
