Covid takes sheen off Feroze Gandhi Market of Ludhiana

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 8

Amid the Covid-19 crisis, business has been badly hit at Feroze Gandhi Market here. Usually crowded by visitors, the market has witnessed a drastically dip in the customer footfall due the pandemic.

Offices of various firms, IELTS coaching centres, restaurants, jewellery and other stores are located at the market. Despite lockdown relaxation, many offices, restaurants and shops have not been reopened to date.

Gagneet Singh Grewal, who runs a coaching centre, said: "Our institute had remained closed for almost two months during the lockdown. Classes at coaching centres have not been started yet. However, I visit my office to do some online work and prepare study notes. There is no income at all. The landlord of the store gave some relaxation with regard to the rent of previous two months, but he wants full rent this month."

A chartered accountant said he had not reopened his office yet. A prominent restaurant owner said their business had been badly hit due to the lockdown.

Before the lockdown came into effect, traffic jams and crowded streets were a common sight at the market. "We have reopened our store but our sales are down. Now, there is no rush of visitors," said Ashim Nagpal, a store owner.

Col Harjap Singh, chairman of Feroze Gandhi Market Association, said: "Only a few visitors came to the market, that too for some essential work. Without customer footfall, it is difficult for tenants to pay the rent. Besides, the landlords are supposed to pay the property tax and bear other expenditures. The government should waive the property tax and provide some relaxation for the revival of business."

President of the market association PS Gill has written to the Chief Minister seeking relief for the market. "This is a planned market having a total of 137 SCOs and booths. Owing to the lockdown, the business has dipped. It will take more than a year to recover from the financial downfall. Customers are shying away from visiting the market. Tenants are unable to pay rent, and they are requesting their landlords to forgo rent for over three months. We have written to the government to provide some relief for the shopkeepers of the market."

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