New Delhi, 24 October (H.S.): The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), a leading traders’ organisation, has written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to postpone the party’s proposed rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1 and hold it after November 10 instead.

In its letter, CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal warned that traffic diversions and police barricading associated with the rally during the peak festive shopping season could adversely affect business worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore across Delhi. Traders in the national capital are currently preparing for what is traditionally their busiest commercial period of the year.

According to the festive calendar cited by the organisation, Dhanteras will be observed on November 6, Diwali on November 8 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. Shoppers typically begin their festive purchases about a week before Dhanteras, making the days leading up to these celebrations particularly important for businesses.

CTI estimates that trade across various sectors in Delhi, including gold and silver, electronics, textiles, automobiles, utensils, sweets and gifts, could generate approximately Rs 25,000 crore on Dhanteras alone. The organisation described this festive-season activity as a significant contributor to the capital’s economy.

The traders’ body also claimed that repeated rallies, marches and road closures around Connaught Place, India Gate and central Delhi had already caused losses of approximately Rs 3,000 crore to businesses in the city. According to CTI, the disruptions had affected the movement of goods into wholesale markets, while retail customers had faced difficulties reaching shopping areas.

The organisation pointed out that nearly 20 major wholesale and retail markets lie within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Chawri Bazaar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh and Lajpat Rai Market. The markets supply goods to businesses and consumers across the country.

CTI expressed concern that traffic restrictions, barricading and possible Metro station closures during the rally could severely disrupt commercial activity in these areas. It also highlighted the proximity of the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations to Ramlila Maidan, noting that traders and buyers arrive in the capital in large numbers every day through these transport hubs.

The organisation warned that road closures and heavy congestion could discourage outstation buyers from travelling to Delhi, potentially dealing a further blow to festive-season sales.

While emphasising that it fully respects the democratic right of all groups to hold peaceful protests, CTI appealed to political parties to take the interests of traders and the wider economy into consideration. It urged them to avoid organising large rallies near major commercial districts until the Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj festivities have concluded.

The traders’ body expressed confidence that political parties would understand the difficulties faced by the business community and consider its request to reschedule the rally.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar