'Rs 12,000cr trade at stake': Traders now write to Sonia to defer Rahul's Nov 1 rally

Delhi traders flag parking, traffic concerns; urge Sonia Gandhi to defer Rahul's rally

NEW DELHI: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) in Delhi on Friday urged senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to postpone the party's proposed mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, warning that it could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across 20 markets in the national capital.The trade body said the rally, proposed by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, comes at a crucial time when markets are preparing for the Diwali shopping season.It has sought postponement of the event until after November 10-11 or shifting it to Burari Ground.The rally is expected to draw around 10 lakh people, raising concerns over traffic congestion and parking arrangements in the busy market areas around Ramlila Maidan.The CTI said it was making the appeal on behalf of nearly 20 lakh traders and stressed that it was not opposed to the rally but was concerned about the impact on businesses during the festive season.

"We are not opposing the rally. We are simply making a humble appeal with folded hands to protect our livelihood during the peak Diwali season," the trade body said.

Parking and traffic concerns

The CTI highlighted several possible problems that could arise due to the large gathering.

It said Ramlila Maidan does not have adequate parking facilities for the estimated 15,000-20,000 vehicles expected to bring rally participants to the venue. The ground, it added, does not even have parking space for 200 large buses.The trade body also pointed out that 20 major wholesale and retail markets are located within a 5-km radius of Ramlila Maidan. These markets collectively account for daily business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore.

It warned that traffic restrictions and congestion during the rally could affect the movement of traders, customers and goods, potentially disrupting business at a time when shops are witnessing increased activity ahead of Diwali.The CTI has asked the Congress leadership to consider the concerns of traders and either reschedule the rally after November 10-11 or shift it to Burari Ground to minimise disruption to commercial activity.The letter to Sonia Gandhi came after the trade body had also written to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to postpone the rally to avoid disrupting business during the festive season.