New Delhi: Due to the ongoing protests in Delhi, traders have so far suffered losses of Rs. 3,000 crore, and this could rise to Rs. 10,000 crore by Diwali, the Chamber of Traders and Industry (CTI) has said.
Protests are being held in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These protests have had a major impact on traffic in Delhi.
The protests, which have been ongoing for the past two weeks, have affected the capital’s business environment. In this situation, the CDI has estimated that Delhi traders have suffered losses of Rs. 3,000 crore due to the protests, and that this could reach Rs. 10,000 crore by Diwali.
Regarding this, CDI chairman Brijesh Goyak said, “The protest held on October 10 alone affected business worth about Rs. 2,000 crore. From October 13 to 16, an additional loss of about Rs. 1,000 crore was incurred.
The reasons for this include road blockades carried out in central Delhi, traffic disruptions in some areas, and disruptions to metro services.
These protests have severely affected Delhi’s retail markets. More than 700 markets, including Sadar Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Chawri Bazaar, Bhagirath Place, Gandhi Nagar, Naya Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Karawal Nagar, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Rai Market, and Connaught Place, have been affected,’ he said.
CID has also released another statistic regarding this loss. According to it, retail trade has suffered a loss of Rs. 1,800 crore, wholesale trade and out-of-town buyers Rs. 600 crore, and the food, accommodation, and services sectors Rs. 300 crore.
Transport, auto-taxi and tourism have suffered losses of Rs. 180 crore, and the informal sector, daily wage workers, artisans, and load-carrying work have suffered losses of Rs. 120 crore.
Citing the protest situation, the CII said that hotels, restaurants, theaters, beauty parlors, salons, gyms, clubs, street vendors, and daily wage workers have also been affected.
CII has also warned that if such protests continue until Diwali, business losses could exceed Rs. 10,000 crore. CII has made a request to the Union Home Ministry to ensure that business continues without disruption during the festive season.
In this, the CID has also requested that relief be provided to traders and that protests be banned in Central Delhi, New Delhi, and the Lutyens’ Zone until Diwali ends.
