Rahul Gandhi's Nov 1 INDIA bloc rally: Delhi's CTI cites ₹25K cr Dhanteras business, seeks delay— What letter to MP said

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has requested Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. The CTI chairman, Brijesh Goyal, suggested the rally should be moved to a date after November 10, citing that the festival period could disrupt business activities.

The traders' association highlighted that Delhi's retail markets experience a surge in commercial activity around Dhanteras, Diwali, and Bhai Dooj, with preparations, purchases, and sales intensifying well before the festivals.

Dhanteras, celebrated on November 6, is expected to generate about ₹25,000 crore in business in Delhi across various sectors, including gold, silver, utensils, electronics, garments, dry fruits, sweets, automobiles, and furniture. The CTI also noted that business losses of approximately ₹3,000 crore had already been incurred by traders in October due to road closures and traffic diversions around central Delhi landmarks like Connaught Place, India Gate, and Old Delhi Railway Station.

Further, the CTI pointed out that 20 major wholesale and retail markets are situated within a 5-kilometer radius of Ramlila Maidan, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Khari Baoli, and Chawri Bazaar. The association expressed concern that traffic restrictions, metro station closures, and barricades during the rally could affect commercial activity in these markets and cause inconvenience to commuters and visitors traveling to Delhi for festive shopping. The CTI urged Gandhi to consider these concerns and postpone the rally to a date after November 10.