- Delhi traders lost Rs 10,000-11,000 crore due to rally.
- 2.5 lakh shops closed, severely impacting Diwali sales.
- Rally disrupted supply chains and customer movement.
Days after failing to secure a postponement of the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan until after Diwali, Delhi's trading sector suffered an estimated loss of Rs 10,000-11,000 crore due to disruptions caused by the event. Diwali shopping was severely disrupted in commercial hubs like Connaught Place, Palika Bazaar, Super Bazaar, Janpath, and Chawri Bazaar.
Fears that the rally would impact business in Delhi's markets proved largely true. The worst-affected areas were the markets and restaurants in and around Connaught Place, which had barely reached 40 per cent of their normal business volume by nightfall. These locations are situated near the rally site. Even on Sunday, a state of uncertainty and fear prevailed in Connaught Place as INDIA leaders marched from the Outer Circle via Minto Bridge to the rally grounds.
Chamber of Trade & Industry (CTI) Chairman Brijesh Goyal stated that around 20 to 25 major markets in the vicinity of the venue were affected, with approximately 2.5 lakh shops remaining closed out of the nearly three lakh shops located in these areas.
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Goyal explained that the closures were largely driven by panic over the expected influx of a large number of people and vehicles for the rally.
“Due to the rally held at Ramlila Maidan today, about 20 to 25 major markets in the vicinity were affected. These historic markets house approximately 300,000 shops. Based on data we received this evening from various WhatsApp groups--comprising traders from different markets under the CTA (Confederation of All India Traders)--about 80 per cent of these shops--roughly 250,000 out of 300,000--remained closed today,” he said.
He added that the movement of customers, suppliers, and dealers from towns surrounding Delhi was also impacted, noting that around 3 lakh to 4 lakh people who usually travel to the capital for business did not arrive.
Goyal further claimed that approximately 5,000 vehicles, including small tempos, light trucks, and heavy commercial vehicles, were unable to operate, disrupting the supply chain of goods from industrial zones and transport hubs to markets in Old Delhi and Central Delhi.
“The movement of goods--loading and unloading--was completely disrupted. During the peak Diwali season, these markets with individual turnovers collectively generate business worth approximately 10,000 to 12,000 crore rupees. Even where shops remained open, sales were virtually non-existent; there were simply no customers,” he said.
The trading sector had suffered losses of around Rs 10,000-11,000 crore; the goyal questioned who would compensate traders for the disruption.
“The question now arises: who will compensate for this loss, or who will make up for it--will the organisers do so?” he said.
Goyal emphasised that the losses were particularly damaging because the markets were in the middle of the peak Diwali trading season, with Dhanteras shopping scheduled four days later. He added that the disruption deeply affected businesses dependent on the daily transit of goods and consumers.
Meanwhile, traders across Delhi’s major commercial hubs had strongly opposed the mega rally ahead of time, warning that holding a massive political gathering in the heart of the capital during the peak shopping season would paralyse wholesale markets, disrupt daily livelihoods, and cause business losses exceeding Rs 2,000 crore.
Key office-bearers of the Automotive Parts Merchant Association (APMA), based at Kashmere Gate--one of Asia's largest auto parts wholesale markets--clarified that while they are not opposed to democratic protests, the timing and choice of venue were disastrous for trade.
Terming the venue and timing disastrous for retail and wholesale commerce, APMA members urged the administration to intervene, stating that traffic gridlocks and panic among outstation buyers would cripple wholesale trade within a three-kilometre radius of Old Delhi and push thousands of daily-wage labourers into severe financial distress.
APMA President Vinay Narang said holding the rally in the centre of the capital right before Diwali would choke key arterial wholesale hubs.
"We are not aligned with any political party, nor are we against democratic protests. But the timing and the venue are completely wrong. Ramlila Maidan is located in the middle of Asia’s largest commercial zone--with major markets like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Daryaganj, Mori Gate, and Kashmere Gate within a three-kilometre radius," Narang said.
The INDIA bloc on Sunday held its mega rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to protest against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Top opposition figures--including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav--attended the event.
Meanwhile, regarding the closed shops in Connaught Place, the Congress Party claimed in a social media post on X that the BJP had forced the closures.