Delhi's trading community is calling for the postponement of the INDIA bloc's planned November 1 rally, citing a potential economic hit of up to ₹12,000 crore during the crucial Diwali festive season. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has formally written to Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, requesting the demonstration be rescheduled to a date after Diwali.
Traders Warn of Crippling Impact on Festive Business
The opposition alliance's protest, targeting alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, is scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm. While the Congress anticipates a turnout of around 10 lakh people, Delhi Police projects a more conservative 50,000 attendees.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal highlighted that November 1 is vital for Diwali preparations, with traders concerned about severe disruptions if a large crowd and thousands of vehicles converge on central Delhi. The body estimates that wholesale and retail markets could face losses ranging from ₹10,000 crore to ₹12,000 crore.
Goyal stated that the CTI had previously contacted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi three times with the same request. He emphasized that traders are not against the rally itself, but are gravely concerned about its timing, which coincides with peak festive commerce.
Logistical Nightmares and Venue Concerns
The CTI has also proposed shifting the rally venue from Ramlila Maidan to Burari Ground, which offers parking for approximately 15,000 vehicles. Traders fear that a rally at Ramlila Maidan would cause widespread traffic congestion, spilling over onto major arteries like JLN Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Netaji Subhash Marg.
This gridlock, they warn, would severely impede the delivery of goods for Dhanteras, a key pre-Diwali shopping day. Central Delhi markets, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, and Karol Bagh, are typically bustling during this period, receiving around 5,000 trucks and tempos daily from industrial areas and dispatching goods to other NCR cities.
The CTI referenced a previous protest on October 10 in central Delhi, which, despite attracting fewer participants (5,000-7,000 people), caused traffic disruptions for about eight hours, illustrating the potential for significant economic paralysis.