CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Delhi: New Delhi: Business in major markets of the capital was claimed to have been affected during the INDIA bloc’s mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. According to the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), nearly 2.5 lakh shops located within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan remained closed because of the rally and related traffic restrictions. The organisation claimed that about 80 per cent of nearly three lakh shops in the area remained shut, causing a wide impact on commercial activity.
CTI president Brijesh Goyal wrote a fourth letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, informing him about traders’ concerns. The organisation said customer movement in markets of central Delhi and Old Delhi was affected because of the rally. Movement of goods, loading and unloading also faced disruptions. According to traders, transport arrangements within a 10-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan were affected, making it difficult to get goods to the markets.
The traders’ body said a large number of trucks and small goods vehicles carry supplies daily from industrial areas including Narela, Bawana, Okhla, Mayapuri and Mundka to the markets. It expressed apprehension that these activities would be affected because of the rally. CTI voiced concern over business being hit ahead of Diwali and Dhanteras. According to the organisation, nearly 20 major markets see daily business worth Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had appealed to people coming to Delhi to attend the rally to support traders by shopping in local markets. CTI welcomed the appeal, but said normal activity in markets was affected because of concerns over traffic and crowds.
However, the figures on shop closures and an 80 per cent decline in business are CTI’s claims. Independent confirmation of these figures is not available.
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