A ‘trade bandh’ to oppose sealing, major markets in Delhi to remain shut today

Prominent markets likely to be closed on Tuesday are Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Amar Colony, Khan Market, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazaar, Kamla Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, Model Town, Azadpur, Kalkaji among several others.

All major wholesale and retail markets in the National Capital will remain shut on Tuesday as traders have decided to observe a ‘trade bandh’ against the ongoing sealing drive by the municipal corporations on the direction of a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee.

A shopkeeper sits in front of a shop at South Extension Part I as traders on Tuesday decided to observe a ‘trade bandh’ against the ongoing sealing drive by the municipal corporations. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), in a statement, said that more than seven lakh traders belonging to about 2, 500 traders associations would participate in the protest.

Prominent markets likely to be closed on Tuesday are Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Amar Colony, Khan Market, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazaar, Kamla Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, Model Town, Azadpur, Kalkaji among several others.

On February 2 and 3, the traders had shut their shops for two days to mark their protest against the sealing action which began in December 2017.

CAIT’s secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said it would hold a ‘vyapaari panchayat’ in Karol Bagh in which thousands of traders are expected to participate.

Atul Bhargava, president of New Delhi Traders Association said traders and shopkeepers in Connaught Place would also extend their support to the bandh call.

“No major action has been initiated in Connaught Place by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) as such. However, it has sealed some basements for alleged misuse and is also carrying out a survey of mezzanine floors. Our demand is that traders must be given some time to rectify alleged violation if any. Sealing is not the only solution,” he said.

On Monday, a delegation of CAIT met Union home minister Rajnath Singh on the issue and apprised him about the implications of action by the civic bodies against alleged violation of civic norms in the city.

Singh advised us to make a representation of traders before the Delhi lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal and assured us to bring a permanent solution to the problem, said Khandelwal.

On Monday, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation sealed 23 properties in Gagan Vihar, Shakarpur and Gandhi Nagar for misuse of stilt floor.