Yoga Day: CP restaurants, shops asked to shut early

New Delhi, June 20

The Delhi Police have asked restaurants and shops in the Connaught Place area to close down early today for International Yoga Day preparations.

The traders and restaurateurs, however, were unhappy with the move saying their business was affected as people visit the area more in the evening hours.

"Connaught Place remained out of bounds for visitors from 8 pm today as we had asked all shops and restaurants to shut down by then," said a senior police officer.

He added that only those who reside in the area will be allowed entry tonight.

A restaurateur, who was not willing to be named, said many of the restaurants closed by 5 pm since they were asked to do so by the police.

"People mostly visit restaurants post 8 pm. On a day when the weather is pleasant, we have been asked to close our venues early. This has affected our business," he said.

Atul Bhargav, the president of New Delhi Traders' Association (NDTA) echoed similar views and said that many shopkeepers and restaurateurs shut their businesses at 5 pm.

He said the Delhi Police had earlier asked them to shut down their shops from 5 pm on June 19 and open after the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21.

However, they raised objection to the move and it was agreed that they would have to shut their shops by 8 pm on June 20 i.e. today.

"They should hold events like these at the India Gate. There were no customers today and our business saw a decline of 30 to 35 per cent," rued Bhargav.

NDMC denies issuing any early closure notice

The New Delhi Municipal Council, which is organising the event tomorrow, however, said it has not issued any such directive.

A senior official from the civic body said, "We have not issued any directives to close down the restaurants early. Since the parking is closed, some restaurants may have decided to shutter early on their own but no such communication from the NDMC has been made," added the official from the civic body.

Vehicular traffic and parking areas in Connaught Place's inner circle were closed from the night of June 19 till tomorrow morning in the wake of preparations for International Yoga Day.

Entry at Rajiv Chowk Metro to be restricted

Entry and exit points at the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station will be closed tomorrow till 8.30 am for the International Yoga Day celebrations to be held across the city, a spokesperson of the DMRC said.

The decision has been taken following an advice of the police for security reasons.

As many as 10,000 people are expected to gather at various venues to mark the day, adopted by the United Nations in 2014. Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are also slated to attend the events in the city.

"As advised by the Delhi Police, entry and exit points at the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station will be closed from 5.30 am till 08.30 am on June 21 in view of security requirements," the spokesperson said.

The Metro station will be fully functional from 8.30 am, he said. PTI/TNS