Market for the middle class finds itself in the middle of nowhere
Rising prices coupled with security concerns have kept shoppers away from the usually busy markets of the national Capital. Sarojini Nagar market popularly known as the market of the middle-class is no exception since its footfall has come down drastically. The market that attracts thousands of shoppers on any given day is shorn of the enthusiasm before Deepawali. Security issues are major deterrents for the shoppers since the market was targeted on October 29, 2005 by terrorist groups resulting in deaths of scores of people. This year too there are intelligence intercepts suggesting terror groups trying to singe Delhi by launching serial bombings. Delhi Police and the security agencies have sounded an alert and additional security measures have been put to place to ward off evil designs by the anti-Indian forces.
With the festive fervour hitting the market, no security arrangements have been made yet to ensure the safety of visitors in Sarojini Nagar market. “In case of an untoward incident, we call the bomb squad since it’s their job. local police is also kept in the loop. We are in the process of assessing the threat perception and security arrangements will be beefed up accordingly,” said a police official posted in the Sarojini Nagar market.
While the CCTV cameras are deployed across the market, the police personnel just look passively on the visitors but no attempt is made by them to frisk them at the barricades. “The CCTV cameras are not working here and the same has been conveyed to the police station people,” said a shopkeeper. “Throughout the year, no arrangements are made to secure this market. There has been a practice by the Delhi Police to augment security just three to four days before the Deepawali,” the shopkeeper added. “Sale has dipped and the trends indicate that the market will record a low sale as shoppers are not coming for Deepawali shopping,” another shopkeeper bemoaned.
With the number of peddlers and roadside pavements increasing by the day, visitors feel that while the life of people is at risk, it is impossible for them to walk by foot. “There is absolutely no space to walk. Anything can happen anytime. The police are least bothered about the safety measures,” said Raunak Srivastava.
While the shopkeepers feel the reason behind lax security is the presence of vendors. “With the number of vendors having increased four time, if a terror attack takes place today, at least 10 times more people will perish,” said Pramod Kumar, President, Sarojini Market Shopkeepers Association.
“Moreover the juice shop where the previous blast took place is now a street full of a string of vendors and hawkers. It is not possible for the police to post police personnel at every nook and cranny. We try to sanitise the area and maintain surveillance on the movement of the suspects,” a police official said.