Delhi’s first Mahila Haat to open in Nov

Women artisans wanting to showcase their wares will finally be able to rent stalls at the Capital’s first ‘mahila haat’ from November. After a delay of three years, the North Delhi Corporation is all set to start the market with 39 stalls at a minimal rent of Rs 90 a day.

Women artisans wanting to showcase their wares will finally be able to rent stalls at the Capital’s first ‘mahila haat’ from November. After a delay of three years, the North Delhi Corporation is all set to start the market with 39 stalls at a minimal rent of Rs 90 a day.

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The market will be a first- of-its-kind, where vendors will be predominantly women. They will sell handicraft items, fabrics, artifacts, kitchen products and many such wares.

The market will have 24 food stalls, offering a variety of Indian cuisines.

The haat, located in Asaf Ali car parking area at Delhi Gate, was initiated in 2009 by the erstwhile MCD. It was scheduled to be completed before the Commonwealth Games at a cost of R2 crore. As the years rolled by, the budget went up to R5 crore.

Mira Aggarwal, the mayor of North Delhi Corporation, said that the haat can be given for film shoots to earn extra revenue.
To ensure women’s safety, only men who come with family will be allowed to enter the market. Aggarwal said that the rule may be relaxed once the operation starts.

The market will become operational from November 1 and will be formally inaugurated on November 4 by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. The stalls will be run by women registered under the ministry of textile and other NGOs.