- CP traders report 70 per cent footfall drop due to protests.
- Rs 250 crore daily business hit in Connaught Place.
- Traders appeal to PM, CJI for intervention.
Jagran Correspondent: As the Cockroach Janata Party prepares to hold its ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, local shopkeepers and business owners have reported a decline of up to 70 per cent in customer footfall since protests began at Jantar Mantar.
Security personnel have been deployed in and around Connaught Place to maintain law and order ahead of the flag protest called by CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke.
Business owners in CP have made an emotional appeal to protesters and political parties, urging them to allow businesses to operate without disruption during the festive season.
“Dear protesters and political parties, with folded hands, we request you to let us earn our livelihood this festive season. More than 5,000 families depend on the restaurants and shops of Connaught Place. This is a commercial area, not a protest site. Please hold protests only at locations designated by the government,” the traders said.
The appeal shows the concerns of hundreds of shopkeepers and restaurant operators in Connaught Place, widely regarded as the heart of Delhi’s commercial activity, amid a series of protests. Wholesale businesses in Old Delhi have also reported a decline of up to 30 per cent.
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According to a report by Jagran.com, traders said that continuous agitations organised by the CJP, Congress and Left parties have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, leaving businesses struggling to sustain themselves.
New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) president Atul Bhargava said traders were suffering such heavy losses that even paying shop rents had become difficult. He added that business owners must continue to meet expenses such as electricity and water bills, property taxes and employee salaries, regardless of their earnings.
Bhargava said hopes of strong sales during the festive season were being dashed by the ongoing disruptions. He clarified that despite the planned protest on Friday, traders would remain vigilant and would not shut their shops.
Wholesale Markets in Old Delhi Report Up to 30 per cent Decline
The period from Navratri to Diwali is traditionally one of the busiest business seasons of the year. However, this time, shops and restaurants across Connaught Place, Palika Bazaar, Janpath and Khan Market are at huge losses due to repeated protests and security restrictions.
Wholesale markets in Old Delhi have also been affected, with business reportedly declining by up to 30 per cent.
Rajendra Kapoor, vice-president of the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, said the disruption had affected wholesale traders in Old Delhi as well. He warned that if the situation persisted, several shops could be forced to shut down after the festive season.
How Are Protests Affecting Businesses?
The wave of protests that began in July has intensified and continued into October, according to traders.
Continuous sloganeering, extensive barricading in the name of security, road closures and traffic diversions have disrupted normal business activities and affected customer movement.
More than 1,000 shops and outlets, over 300 restaurants in Connaught Place and surrounding markets, and more than 250 commercial establishments on Janpath have reportedly been affected since the protests began on October 2.
According to DL Madan, president of the Janpath Market Traders Association, the situation has become so difficult for some shopkeepers that they have not recorded even their first sale of the day, commonly known as bohani, for five days during the Navratri period.
Traders Appeal to PM and CJI
According to the Jagran.com report, markets in Connaught Place typically record business worth approximately Rs 250 crore a day on normal days. During protests and security restrictions, however, business reportedly falls to less than half of its usual level.
Traders have also reported a decline of up to 70 per cent in the number of customers arriving from outside Delhi. While the area typically attracts around two to three lakh visitors daily, the number has reportedly fallen to just 40,000-50,000.
Amid mounting losses, traders have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Justice of India and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, seeking immediate intervention to address the disruption and protect their livelihoods.
Connaught Place's Central Park Closed for Two Days
Meanwhile, adding to traders' concerns ahead of the CJP's ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest, the New Delhi Municipal Council has announced that Central Park in Connaught Place will remain closed for two days.
In its announcement, the NDMC said the park would remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.
The closure, coinciding with the planned protest, has added to concerns among traders already grappling with reduced footfall, traffic restrictions and losses during the crucial festive shopping season.