The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to prohibit rallies, dharnas, protest marches and demonstrations at key locations across the national capital until November
11, Bhai Dooj, citing business losses of nearly Rs 14,000 crore over the past month.
The traders’ body has warned that if further protests disrupt business during the ongoing festive season, traders may hand over the keys of their shops to the organisers of such demonstrations.
In a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner, CTI has demanded that no permission be granted for rallies, protests or marches at Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan, India Gate, Rajghat and Delhi Gate, besides other locations in Central and Old Delhi, until November 11.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said traders could no longer afford business disruptions, particularly with Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj falling within the peak festive shopping period.
Goyal said the next few days were crucial for nearly 20 lakh traders and 75 lakh employees in Delhi, as the festive season offered one of the biggest business opportunities of the year.
“Traders are no longer in a position to bear further losses. If Diwali business is affected now, traders will hand over the keys of their shops to the organisers of rallies and protests,” he warned.
CTI Seeks Alternative Venues For Rallies
As part of its demands, CTI has asked the Delhi Police to identify alternative locations for rallies and demonstrations instead of allowing large gatherings in the middle of the capital’s commercial hubs.
The traders’ body has suggested Burari, Alipur, Jasola and Yamuna Khadar as alternative venues for holding protests and political gatherings.
It has also urged the police to ensure smooth movement of transport vehicles and proper parking arrangements in Central Delhi until Diwali, arguing that traffic disruptions directly affect the movement of customers, suppliers and goods.
The organisation has specifically sought restrictions on demonstrations at Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan and India Gate until November 11.
Traders Claim Rs 14,000 Crore Loss In One Month
According to CTI’s estimates, Delhi’s trading community suffered losses of approximately Rs 14,000 crore between October 1 and November 1, 2026, due to repeated rallies, demonstrations and traffic disruptions.
Of this, the organisation attributed Rs 3,000 crore in losses to protests held during October, particularly around Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Patel Chowk and Janpath.
CTI claimed that frequent traffic congestion affected retail trade, hotels, restaurants and transport businesses in Central Delhi, including Connaught Place, Janpath, Palika Bazaar, Khan Market, Karol Bagh, Paharganj and Kamla Market.
The remaining Rs 11,000 crore in estimated losses was attributed to the mega rally held at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
2.5 Lakh Shops Remained Shut During November 1 Rally
CTI claimed that approximately 2.5 lakh shops out of nearly three lakh establishments in 20-25 major markets within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan remained closed on November 1.
The affected markets included Kashmere Gate, Mori Gate, Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, Khari Baoli, Naya Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, Ajmeri Gate, Daryaganj, Paharganj, Kamla Market, Jama Masjid, Bhagirath Palace, Lajpat Rai Market, Kinari Bazaar, Dariba Kalan, Ballimaran, Fatehpuri, Tilak Bazaar, Connaught Place, Palika Bazaar, Gaffar Market and Karol Bagh.
According to the traders’ body, retail and wholesale businesses accounted for approximately Rs 8,800 crore of the estimated losses.
CTI said the disruption came at a particularly crucial time, just days before Dhanteras on November 6 and Diwali on November 8.
It claimed that nearly 3 to 4 lakh customers who usually travel to Delhi from around 100 neighbouring cities and towns, including Sonipat, Panipat, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, Bahadurgarh and Jhajjar, did not arrive due to concerns over traffic congestion and the large gathering.
The traders’ body said around 80 per cent of the business in the affected markets came to a standstill.
Transport And Logistics Disrupted, Rs 1,500 Crore Loss Claimed
CTI estimated losses of Rs 1,500 crore in the transport and logistics sector, claiming that the entire transport network within a 10-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan was severely disrupted.
According to the organisation, around 5,000 trucks and tempos carrying goods from 56 industrial areas, including Narela, Bawana, Okhla, Mayapuri, Mundka and Udyog Nagar, usually enter these markets every day. Another 3,000 trucks transport goods from Delhi to the NCR and other parts of the country.
CTI claimed that loading, unloading and the movement of goods came to a halt during the rally.
It further said buses, cars and tempos remained stranded on key roads, including Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg, resulting in severe congestion across Central Delhi. Thousands of transport vehicles reportedly remained stuck, leaving drivers and helpers stranded.
Hotels, Restaurants And Daily-Wage Workers Also Hit
The hospitality, hotel, restaurant and tourism sector reportedly suffered losses of Rs 500 crore, according to CTI.
The organisation claimed that bookings were cancelled at more than 2,000 hotels, restaurants, guest houses and eateries across Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Chandni Chowk and Daryaganj.
Tourists, both domestic and international, were also reportedly unable to visit popular destinations such as the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.
CTI estimated another Rs 200 crore in losses for the informal sector and daily-wage workers. It said nearly 20 lakh employees, loaders, auto and e-rickshaw drivers, street vendors, porters and labourers dependent on these markets lost a day’s earnings.
The organisation said daily-wage workers were among the worst affected by the disruption.
Traders Had Opposed Rally Ahead Of Diwali
The demands come after traders’ associations raised objections to the INDIA bloc’s November 1 mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, citing concerns over its timing and location during the peak festive shopping season.
According to news agency ANI, CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal had estimated that the rally caused losses of Rs 10,000 to 11,000 crore to Delhi’s trading sector.
Goyal said 20-25 major markets in the vicinity of the venue were affected, with around 2.5 lakh shops remaining closed out of nearly three lakh shops.
He said the estimate was based on information received from traders across different markets through WhatsApp groups. He also claimed that 3 to 4 lakh customers from surrounding towns did not travel to Delhi and that approximately 5,000 vehicles, including tempos and trucks, could not operate normally.
“The movement of goods, loading and unloading, was completely disrupted. During the peak Diwali season, these markets with individual turnovers collectively generate business worth approximately 10,000 to 12,000 crore rupees. Even where shops remained open, sales were virtually non-existent; there were simply no customers,” Goyal said, according to ANI.
He also questioned who would compensate traders for the losses, asking whether the rally organisers would take responsibility.
The INDIA bloc rally was organised to protest alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. It was attended by several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav.
