Delhi traders urge Congress to postpone November 1 rally, warn of Rs 10,000-crore hit

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), which represents traders and entrepreneurs in Delhi, has written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a change in the rally date. Its chairman, Brijesh Goyal, has also sent a copy of the letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting him to discuss the issue with alliance partners.

In Short

• Concerns over traffic chaos with up to 20,000 vehicles entering city
• Traders' body suggests changing venue if the rally can't be postponed
• It says Ramlila Maidan surrounded by bustling commercial districts

Delhi traders have urged the Congress to postpone its proposed November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan until after Diwali, warning that the gathering could bring traffic to a standstill across parts of the capital and cause business losses of up to Rs 10,000 crore during the peak festive shopping season.

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), which represents traders and entrepreneurs in Delhi, has written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a change in the rally date. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal has also sent a copy of the letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, requesting him to discuss the issue with alliance partners.

In a statement issued on October 27, Goyal said traders operating in markets around Ramlila Maidan were worried about the possibility of barricading and road closures ahead of the proposed gathering.

The concern follows a social media message from Rahul Gandhi on Monday regarding the planned protest. According to CTI, the message has heightened anxiety among traders who fear that the rally will go ahead during one of the busiest periods of the year for Delhi's wholesale and retail businesses.

Traders are particularly concerned about whether restrictions could begin as early as October 31, a day before the rally.

CTI questioned whether shops would be able to open on October 31 and November 1 and whether customers would be able to reach the markets if roads were barricaded or closed.

UP TO 20,000 VEHICLES COULD ENTER DELHI

According to CTI, Congress leaders have indicated that around 10 lakh people from across India could attend the rally. Based on that projected attendance, the traders' body estimates that between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicles could enter Delhi and head towards Ramlila Maidan.

Its calculations suggest that transporting such a crowd could require between 10,000 and 12,000 large buses, along with another 5,000 to 7,000 smaller vehicles, including cars, minibuses and tempo travellers.

Goyal raised concerns about where these vehicles would be parked, claiming that authorised parking facilities around Ramlila Maidan cannot accommodate even 200 vehicles.

CTI warned that the movement of such a large number of vehicles towards the venue could lead to severe congestion within a 10-kilometre radius, affecting traders, shoppers and the transportation of goods.

The attendance and vehicle figures are CTI's estimates, and the actual turnout and traffic arrangements have not yet been established.

DELHI BUSINESSES TO BE HIT

CTI said Ramlila Maidan is surrounded by some of Delhi's busiest commercial districts, with access roads passing through areas that handle substantial wholesale and retail trade.

The organisation identified 21 markets and commercial areas that could be affected, including Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazaar, Chawri Bazaar, Kashmere Gate, Nabi Karim, Karol Bagh, Ajmeri Gate, Daryaganj, Nai Sarak, Kinari Bazaar, Dariba Kalan, Fatehpuri, Lahori Gate, Filmistan, Paharganj, Ghaffar Market, Jama Masjid, the Red Fort-Lajpat Rai Market area and Naya Bazaar.

These markets are important trading centres for electrical equipment, spices, dry fruits, auto parts, hardware, jewellery, books, furniture, machinery and foodgrains.

CTI said the narrow lanes in parts of Old Delhi, some measuring just 10 to 12 feet wide, could make traffic management particularly difficult.

According to the organisation, even a single truck getting stuck in one of these lanes can cause congestion lasting several hours.

The traders' body fears that restrictions on vehicle movement could affect not only shoppers but also wholesale deliveries and the transportation of goods to other parts of the country.

FALLOUT OF EARLIER DISRUPTIONS

To support its concerns, CTI cited an event held at Jantar Mantar on October 10, which it said attracted only 3,000 to 4,000 people but resulted in extensive traffic restrictions across central Delhi.

The organisation claimed that traders suffered losses of Rs 3,000 crore because of the disruption.

Goyal warned that a gathering of 10 lakh people at Ramlila Maidan could have a much greater impact, potentially bringing trade across Old Delhi to a standstill.

CTI estimates that the November 1 rally could cause losses of up to Rs 10,000 crore if traffic restrictions prevent customers, traders and delivery vehicles from accessing the markets.

The loss figures are estimates provided by the traders' body and have not been independently verified. The eventual impact would depend on the size of the gathering, the traffic arrangements and the duration of any restrictions.

CTI has urged the Congress leadership to reschedule the rally until after the festive period, suggesting a date after November 10.

The organisation argued that postponing the event would help protect business activity during the crucial Diwali shopping season, when demand for jewellery, clothing, electronics, household goods and other products typically rises.

If changing the date is not possible, CTI has suggested moving the rally from Ramlila Maidan to a larger open venue, such as Burari Ground or Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The traders' body believes these locations would reduce the risk of disruption to the densely packed wholesale and retail markets surrounding Ramlila Maidan.

Goyal has appealed to the Congress leadership to consider the concerns of traders and find a solution that allows the political gathering to take place without severely affecting commercial activity.

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