Traders urge Rahul Gandhi to defer November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, cite Rs 10,000 cr loss fear

Even as Rahul Gandhi brushed off their request on Monday with his “30 seconds” response, Delhi traders have again written to the Leader of Opposition to defer the INDIA bloc’s proposed mega rally planned for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan, saying it could disrupt business across 21 major wholesale and retail markets during the peak festive shopping season and cause losses of up to Rs 10,000 crore.

According to traders’ body, major retail and wholesale markets within a 5km radius of the venue-including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, and Kashmere Gate-face severe footfall drops due to anticipated police barricading, road closures, and Metro station shutdowns.

The traders’ body has asked Congress to defer the rally until November 10, after Bhai Dooj, or shift it to an alternative venue away from commercial areas.

The Congress has claimed that the rally could draw 10 lakh people. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal highlighted that peak festive shopping begins a week before Dhanteras (November 6) and Diwali (November 8). A rally at this time could heavily disrupt trade.

CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal highlighted that peak festive shopping begins a week before Dhanteras (November 6) and Diwali (November 8). A rally at this time could heavily disrupt trade. According to the CTI, a gathering of 10 lakh people could bring between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicles into Delhi.

These could include 10,000 to 12,000 buses and 5,000 to 7,000 smaller vehicles, such as cars, minibuses and tempo travellers. The organisation questioned where these vehicles would be parked, claiming there was no authorised parking facility for even 200 vehicles in the immediate vicinity of Ramlila Maidan.

It also warned that congestion could spill into the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, many of which are only 10 to 12 feet wide. A single truck getting stuck in these lanes could trigger traffic jams lasting several hours, it said.

The CTI identified 21 markets that could be affected by the rally, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Bhagirath Palace, Chawri Bazaar, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh, Daryaganj, Paharganj, Jama Masjid and Lajpat Rai Market.

The body cited the October 10 event at Jantar Mantar, claiming that a gathering of around 3,000 to 4,000 people had disrupted movement across central Delhi and caused traders losses of Rs 3,000 crore. The CTI has proposed Burari Ground or Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as alternative venues if the rally cannot be postponed. It has urged the Congress leadership to consider the concerns of traders and minimise disruption to business during the festive season.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday rejected an appeal by Delhi’s business community to postpone the rally at Ramlila Maidan and instead asked them to talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi if they wanted a quick solution. In a post on X, Gandhi said they can stop their protest in “30 seconds” only if PM Modi “sacked” Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.