Brijesh Goyal said the rally held at Ramlila Maidan had a significant impact on approximately 20 to 25 markets surrounding the venue. These markets collectively have around 3 lakh shops. According to information received from traders through various market WhatsApp groups on Sunday evening, nearly 80 per cent of the shops, or approximately 2.5 lakh out of 3 lakh, remained closed.
Goyal said the shops were primarily shut because traders and business owners were apprehensive about the expected arrival of large numbers of people and vehicles for the rally. The possibility of heavy crowds and traffic movement reportedly discouraged traders from opening their establishments.
He further claimed that around 5,000 vehicles, including small tempos, trucks and large trucks, could not operate. This disrupted the movement of goods from industrial areas and transport hubs to markets in Old Delhi and Central Delhi. Loading and unloading operations were completely affected, adding to the disruption in commercial activity.
According to Goyal, these markets generally record combined business worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore during the peak Diwali trading season. Even shops that remained open witnessed negligible sales, as there were virtually no customers, he said.
Goyal emphasised that the timing of the disruption made its impact particularly significant, as markets are currently in the peak Diwali trading season, with Dhanteras shopping scheduled to take place just four days later.
He added that the disruption affected businesses dependent on the daily movement of goods and customers. With a large proportion of shops remaining closed and the transportation of merchandise severely affected, the rally's reported economic impact extended beyond the immediate area surrounding Ramlila Maidan, according to the CTI chairman.
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