New Delhi: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Tuesday wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding that rallies, sit-ins and protest marches be prohibited at major locations in the national capital until November 11, the day of Bhaiya Dooj.
In its letter dated November 3, the traders’ body cited financial losses caused by demonstrations and traffic disruptions over the past month. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said businesses had suffered substantial losses during the peak festive shopping season.
According to the CTI, businesses in Delhi suffered losses of approximately Rs 14,000 crore between October 1 and November 1.
The organisation claimed that demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Patel Chowk and Janpath during October caused traffic congestion, resulting in estimated losses of Rs 3,000 crore for retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and transport operators between October 1 and October 30.
The CTI further claimed that the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan alone caused losses of approximately Rs 11,000 crore across sectors, including Rs 8,800 crore in retail and wholesale trade.
It said around 2.5 lakh shops remained shut on the day, bringing nearly 80% of commercial activity to a standstill. The rally also reportedly disrupted transport and logistics, causing Rs 1,500 crore in losses, while hotels, restaurants, hospitality and tourism businesses suffered around Rs 500 crore. The informal sector and daily-wage workers reportedly lost Rs 200 crore.
Goyal said Dhanteras falls on November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhaiya Dooj on November 11. He said the next 10 days represented a major business opportunity for around 20 lakh traders and 75 lakh employees associated with Delhi’s commercial establishments.
“If rallies and protests continue every day, the entire Diwali business will be ruined. Traders are no longer in a position to bear further losses,” Goyal said.
The CTI urged police to prohibit demonstrations at Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan and India Gate until November 11, designate alternative venues at Burari, Alipur, Jasola and Yamuna Khadar, and ensure smooth traffic movement and adequate parking in Central Delhi.
Goyal warned that traders would be compelled to surrender their shop keys to rally organisers if disruptions continued.
