The Chamber of Trade and Industry petitioned Congress leadership to alter the schedule or venue of the INDIA bloc's planned November 1 gathering at Ramlila Maidan. Representatives warned that traffic congestion would block crucial delivery trucks and disrupt around 20 surrounding major markets, including Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. These commercial hubs generate an estimated ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 crore in collective daily turnover during the Dhanteras and Diwali shopping window. To protect this trade, the association suggested relocating the gathering to Burari Maidan or rescheduling it past November 10.
Key points
The Chamber of Trade and Industry appealed to Sonia Gandhi to protect merchant livelihood…: The Chamber of Trade and Industry appealed to Sonia Gandhi to protect merchant livelihoods rather than to mount a political objection.
Trade leaders recommended shifting the demonstration to Burari Maidan or postponing it un…: Trade leaders recommended shifting the demonstration to Burari Maidan or postponing it until after November 10 to avoid festive disruption.
Opposition organizers, including Rahul Gandhi, framed the Chalo Dilli Ramlila March as a…: Opposition organizers, including Rahul Gandhi, framed the Chalo Dilli Ramlila March as a vital effort to protect democracy against alleged vote tampering.
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The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) on Thursday wrote directly to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, demanding an immediate deferral of the INDIA bloc's massive November 1 mega-rally at Ramlila Maidan.
Citing severe economic fallout during the peak festive shopping period, the premier traders' body warned that bringing an estimated 10 lakh (1 million) people and 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles into Central Delhi would spark a severe traffic paralysis across 20 historic markets.
"We demand to reschedule the mega-rally of 1 million (10 lakh) people, planned for November 1, to a date after Diwali; lack of parking for 15,000-20,000 vehicles could lead to a total gridlock, akin to a lockdown," the CTI urged in its letter to Sonia Gandhi.
The planned rally comes at a critical juncture for Delhi's commercial ecosystem. With Dhanteras falling on November 6 and Diwali on November 8, traders emphasise that November 1 represents the busiest single day for festive inventory transit and shopper movement.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal stressed that business owners are facing widespread panic, clarifying that their plea is purely about…
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