Dug-up roads, inadequate parking, and end-of-the-month blues are likely to throw a dampener on Diwali shopping this year, say traders in the Chowk Bazaar—the oldest shopping district in the state capital.
Though traffic congestion is a staple across this marketplace that dates back to the Nawabi era, the situation around Ghora Nakkas is especially bad, as the road coming into the market from Jumerati has been under 'repair' for months now.Owner of Asha Wholesale—an electrical shop at Ghoda Nakkas—Narendra Patidar laments that business is weak this year.
He says, "Road connectivity issues and the rise of online shopping have made the market sluggish. Customers are making purchases according to their budget, with most buying Chinese electronic goods for home decoration."
Offering a more politically correct perspective, Karan Sahu, the owner of Mateshwari Electricals in the same area, claims that the market for Indian lamps is doing much better compared to last year. People are opting for "Made in India" products instead of Chinese goods.
Karan is greatly inspired by PM Modi’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) campaign.
Prayansh, the manager at the Raymond RK showroom at Lakherapura, says that festival shopping is still in its initial phase. He notes that the clothing business usually picks up after Diwali, as the wedding season begins soon after Diwali Ekadashi or Gyaras.
Vikas Prajapati, selling clay lamps in Chowk Bazaar behind the Kumharpura, or the potters’ colony, says that his trade has been hit by inflation.
He admits that the market is slow this year, and the end-of-the-month date for the festival has only added to the woes of shoppers.
Two types of diyas are on offer at the market: earthen ones are selling for Rs 20 a dozen, while those made of sawdust and ash are fetching anywhere between Rs 30 and 35 per dozen."My family has been selling lamps here for over seven decades. We used to have a kiln in the neighbourhood, but it was closed down as our business suffered after the advent of refrigerators."
Concurring with Patidar, Prayansh, and Prajapati, the manager at the famous Kundan Namkeen store at Ghoda Nakkas, Prem Yadav, says that road construction, traffic jams, and lack of proper parking are resulting in fewer footfalls across Chowk, which was once the mainstay market in the city.
Meanwhile, shops selling firecrackers are being set up in Berasia, Govindpura, Kolar, Huzur, TT Nagar, Bairagarh, Karond, and MP Nagar.
The owner of a gold jewellery shop opposite the free parking at Chowk Bazaar refused to divulge personal details but said, "The market is dull right now, but it will pick up after Dhanteras."
At Loha Bazaar, sizeable crowds of housewives were seen shopping for utensils amid preparations for Dhanteras.
The lady at the counter of the Rangoli shop at Jumerati was frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm among shoppers; she responded to queries by simply saying, "We haven't even had our first sale yet; my head's hurting, move on, brother..."For Diwali, the shops selling plastic garlands, curtains, shelf liners, and stickers are earning more than others. As you exit the Sarafa Bazaar and head towards Ghoda Nakkas, Raju, a home furnishing and decoration retailer, commented, "Business is good, but this will only last until Diwali."
