Diwali Business at Risk: CTI Seeks Change in Rally Plans
A proposed Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 has triggered concern among traders, transporters and factory owners across Delhi. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) warns that the event could put business worth thousands of crores at risk during the peak festive buying season.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal has written to Sonia Gandhi, urging the party to organize the rally after Diwali or choose another venue. Goyal said the trade community has no objection to the rally as such. Their worry is specifically about the date and location, which fall just before the festival.
Traffic and Parking Challenges
According to the organizers' projections, about one million people may attend. Goyal estimated that transporting such a crowd could require between 15,000 and 20,000 buses, tempos and other vehicles. He added that Ramlila Maidan cannot accommodate even 200 buses, raising the prospect of thousands of vehicles flooding old and central Delhi.
Such a scenario, he cautioned, could lead to massive jams and a lockdown-like condition. Goyal referred to the October 10 gathering at Jantar Mantar, where roughly five to seven thousand people reportedly caused traffic chaos in central Delhi and forced about 20 markets to close.
Festival Timing Adds to Concern
Dhanteras falls on November 6 and Diwali on November 8. The rally would be held only four days before the festival, when shoppers and traders are most active. Goyal said that a large gathering during this window could seriously affect market operations.
Markets Worth Thousands of Crores
Goyal said that around 20 historic markets located within five kilometers of Ramlila Maidan record daily business of 10,000 to 12,000 crore rupees. He named Jama Masjid, Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, Naya Bazar, Ajmeri Gate, Karol Bagh, Gaffar Market, Connaught Place, Palika Bazar, Daryaganj and Meena Bazar among the affected areas.
If these markets remain shut for one or two days, he said, the trade could lose at least 10,000 crore rupees.
Supply Chain at Stake
Goyal also outlined the dependence of city markets on transport from industrial areas such as Narela, Bawana, Mangolpuri, Udyog Nagar and Peeragarhi. Around 500 small tempos and Tata Ace vehicles deliver goods daily, and about 3,000 vehicles move goods from these markets to the NCR and other regions.
Rally-related vehicles may start arriving from the afternoon of October 31. Transporters are unsure whether to accept bookings for October 31 or November 1. If movement is disrupted, loading and unloading could stop, and goods meant for Dhanteras and Diwali might not reach shops in time.
Traders Request Relief
Goyal said traders are unhappy about the situation. Market associations have written letters and issued video messages to highlight their concerns, and many are asking for the rally date or venue to be revised.
He noted that Diwali is a major festival for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians alike, and that the trade depends heavily on this season. Goyal referred to Rahul Gandhi's line about running a shop of love in a market of hatred, suggesting that traders' shops of love deserve the same chance to operate. He urged Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to let traders run their businesses peacefully through Diwali so that markets remain open and people can celebrate with love and enthusiasm.