New Delhi: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to postpone the party's proposed November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, warning that traffic restrictions and large-scale mobilisation could disrupt festive business across 20 major markets in central and old Delhi.
The traders' body has claimed that commercial activity worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore could be affected during the crucial shopping period ahead of Dhanteras on November 6 and Diwali on November 8.
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In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, CTI suggested either postponing the rally until November 10-11 or later, or shifting it to Burari Ground, which it claimed has parking facilities for around 15,000 vehicles.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said traders were not opposed to the political demonstration but were concerned about its timing and the possible impact on business during the festive season.
"November 1 is a crucial day for preparations for Diwali. If 10 lakh people and 15,000-20,000 vehicles enter central Delhi, business in 20 major markets could come to a standstill," he said.
Goyal said the organisation had earlier written three letters to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking reconsideration of the rally's timing before approaching Sonia Gandhi.
The traders' body identified Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Kashmere Gate, Chawri Bazar, Karol Bagh and Dariba Kalan among the markets likely to face disruptions.
According to CTI, nearly 5,000 trucks and tempos transport goods daily from 56 industrial areas, including Narela, Bawana, Okhla, Mayapuri and Mundka, to Delhi's wholesale and retail markets.
Another 3,000 vehicles carry merchandise from these markets to 25 cities across the National Capital Region and other parts of the country.
CTI expressed concern that the arrival of buses and other vehicles carrying rally participants could trigger congestion from October 31 itself.
It warned that inadequate parking facilities near Ramlila Maidan could force vehicles onto major roads, including Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg.
"The traders are worried about how goods for Dhanteras will reach the markets if central Delhi faces severe traffic congestion on October 31 and November 1," Goyal said.
The organisation also claimed that transporters had expressed reluctance to dispatch goods to the affected markets from October 31, fearing traffic restrictions and delays.
Citing an October 10 protest in central Delhi, CTI said a gathering of around 5,000-7,000 people had affected traffic movement for nearly eight hours.
The proposed rally, scheduled between 10 am and 5 pm on November 1, is part of the opposition INDIA bloc's campaign against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Congress has claimed that around 10 lakh people could participate in the demonstration.
Delhi Police, however, has estimated attendance at approximately 50,000 and plans to deploy around 3,500 personnel for security and crowd management.
The substantial difference between the organisers' projections and the police estimate also raises questions about the likely scale of traffic disruption.
While CTI has warned of disruption to business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore, the figure represents the traders' body's assessment of commercial activity potentially affected, rather than a verified estimate of actual financial losses.
The extent of any disruption will depend on attendance, traffic restrictions, parking arrangements and the ability of traders and transporters to maintain normal operations.
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The controversy highlights the challenge of accommodating large political demonstrations in Delhi's commercial heartland without severely affecting businesses, particularly during the peak festive shopping season.
There was no immediate indication in the information available of whether Congress would accept CTI's request to reschedule the rally or shift its venue.
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