Traders’ organization Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the India Alliance rally to be held on November 1 at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi to November 10. The trading body has warned that this rally during the main Diwali buying season could lead to Rs. 10,000 crore trade may be affected. In a letter to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, CTI President Brijesh Goyal said the rally could affect the wholesale and retail markets around the Ramlila Maidan at a time when traders are expecting heavy rush of customers ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali.

25,000 crore business

Goyal said that around Dhanteras, which falls on November 6 this year, Delhi has a business worth around Rs 25,000 crore in sectors such as gold and silver, electronics, clothing, utensils, dry fruits, sweets, vehicles, property and gift items. This year Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, followed by Bhai Dooj on November 10. The trade body said markets usually see a surge in activity in the week before festivals, making the boom time a concern for traders.

According to CTI’s assessment, Delhi traders lost around Rs. 3,000 crores has been lost. He claimed that these disruptions affected the movement of goods in wholesale markets and reduced the number of customers in retail shops.

20 markets around Ramlila

The organization also mentioned about 20 wholesale and retail markets falling within a five kilometer radius of Ramlila Maidan, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawari Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmiri Gate, Naya Bazar, Mori Gate, Kinari Bazar, Dariba, Dariba, Dariba, Dariba, Masjid. Bagh and Azad Market.

CTI said these markets supply goods to different parts of the country, and business operations may be disrupted due to traffic changes, route blocking and possible restrictions on public transport during the rally.

Goyal also expressed concern over the potential inconvenience to traders and buyers coming to Delhi from other states through the Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations. The CTI urged political parties to refrain from holding large rallies in major commercial areas until the festive season is over. In this regard, the leader of the Congress Party, a major constituent of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, has been requested to consider organizing the rally after November 10.