Delhi Traders Claim Rs 11,000 Crore Loss After INDIA Bloc Rally
Delhi’s Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has claimed that the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan caused business disruptions worth approximately Rs 11,000 crore across the national capital. The traders’ organisation alleged that nearly 2.5 lakh shops remained closed during the peak festive shopping season, affecting retailers, wholesalers, transport operators and daily wage workers.
Delhi Traders Report Closure of 2.5 Lakh Shops
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said commercial activity was severely disrupted within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan, affecting major markets including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Khari Baoli, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and Kashmiri Gate.
According to the organisation, approximately 80% of normal business activity was affected, with retail and wholesale traders accounting for an estimated Rs 8,800 crore in lost business.
These figures are CTI estimates and have not been independently verified.
Transport, Hospitality and Daily Wage Workers Affected
CTI estimated losses of Rs 1,500 crore in transport and logistics, citing restrictions on goods movement across central Delhi.
The hospitality and tourism sectors reportedly suffered disruptions worth Rs 500 crore, with cancellations affecting more than 2,000 establishments.
The organisation also claimed that approximately 20 lakh informal workers, including drivers, loaders, street vendors and labourers, lost wages totalling nearly Rs 200 crore.
Rahul Gandhi Blames BJP for Market Closures
The traders’ association had previously written to Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, requesting that the rally be postponed until after Diwali.
Goyal questioned who would compensate businesses for the alleged losses.
Meanwhile, Gandhi accused the BJP of forcibly shutting shops and said he had encouraged rally participants to support local businesses through shopping.
The competing claims have raised questions about responsibility for the closures and their economic impact. No independently verified assessment of the losses has been released.
