March restrictions sought as Navratri and Diwali shopping season peaks

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has formally asked the central government to refuse permission for any large public demonstrations in Delhi until the Diwali celebrations conclude. The plea, addressed to Home Minister Amit Shah, comes as the city gears up for the peak Navratri and Diwali buying spree.

CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal highlighted that recent protests have effectively locked down parts of the capital, driving away both out‑of‑town buyers and regular customers. The chamber quantified the damage at over Rs 2,000 crore, a figure it claims reflects the cumulative loss from halted sales and disrupted supply chains.

Key market zones – Connaught Place, Janpath, Palika Bazaar, Khan Market and Lutyens' Delhi – are identified as being most vulnerable to a repeat of such disruptions. The CTI warned that a major march on October 16 could spill over into these hubs, choking the flow of goods and shoppers.

With the festive season representing the most critical revenue window of the year for merchants, the organization urged authorities to prioritize uninterrupted commerce and to block any event that could jeopardise the market’s stability.