Traders urge Delhi LG to notify protest sites on city outskirts
The Confederation of All India Traders seeks designated demonstration areas to prevent business disruptions and protect livelihoods in the national capital.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has requested Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu to officially notify specific locations on the outskirts of Delhi for protests and political gatherings. According to reports from Moneycontrol, The Economic Times and The News Mill, the traders' body sent a letter on November 2 to address recurring disruptions to commercial activities and public life.
The request follows a rally by the INDIA bloc at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The trading sector claimed to have lost an estimated Rs 10,000-11,000 crore due to disruptions from that rally. CAIT stated that Delhi has faced persistent interruptions over the past month, affecting transport, businesses, and the daily lives of citizens.
CAIT National President B C Bhartia said in the letter that while the right to peaceful protest is a democratic pillar, it should not paralyse the city or sacrifice the right to conduct business. The organisation noted that road blockages and traffic diversions have discouraged traders from other states from visiting the capital.
The traders' body proposed five measures, including identifying outskirts locations to ensure wholesale and retail markets remain accessible. They also called for better coordination between the Delhi Police, traffic police and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to manage demonstrations.
Bhartia noted that losses during the current festive and wedding season may not be recoverable. He announced that a meeting of Delhi trade associations will be held after Diwali to decide on future actions regarding this issue.