Trade takes a hit at Chandni Chowk during peak season

Routine business around Chandni Chowk markets that once drew shoppers has changed since Monday night after the deadly blast that killed 13 people and injured over 20.

When The Tribune correspondent on Friday visited the iconic Chandni Chowk market, just in front of the Red Fort and nearby Gurdwara Sis Ganj, which usually witnesses heavy footfall during the wedding season, he saw only a handful of shoppers.

Iconic cycle rickshaws that can only be seen plying at Chandni Chowk remained mostly parked due to a dip in the footfall of shoppers after the blast.

Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandani Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal, told The Tribune that their business had significantly dropped after the blast as few people were visiting the markets.

He said traders had piled up stock in view of the weeding season, but the business has stalled due to the unfortunate incident. “We are hopeful that people will come out and shop from here,” Bhargava added.

He said both customers and traders were still anxious. “It will likely take around a month for things to settle down. Many shopkeepers near the blast site are still scared to reopen their establishments,” he said.

Recalling a similar incident of 2008, he said during that time, it took months for the markets to return to their glory as people were scared to move out.

Hariram, a resident of UP and a rickshaw driver, who was waiting for customers, said: “Earlier, I used to earn enough money to meet our basic needs. After the blast, I am struggling to earn even two meals a day”.

Praveen Khandelwal, BJP MP from Chandni Chowk, who is optimist about the normalcy, said once the traffic resumes, customers will return to the market.

“The spirits of our Chandni Chowk traders are high. The entire Chandni Chowk market is open, except for two markets, which have been closed by the administration due to inspections,” Khandelwal added.

The MP said the footfall of retail customers had certainly reduced because the police had imposed restrictions on entry to Chandni Chowk from the Red Fort.

“No means of transportation are open. The Metro station is closed, buses are not running and private vehicles cannot enter. Because of this, such customers are not coming to the market,” he added.

Chandni Chowk, which generally witnesses a footfall of at least four lakh people every day and is the country’s largest wholesale market, sees business worth approximately Rs 450 crore to Rs 500 crore every day.