Businessmen are worried about the demonstration of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi tomorrow i.e. Saturday, October 10. Protest is to be held at Jantar Mantar, but the administration has converted the entire central Delhi into a cantonment. It is estimated that there is a business of around Rs 600 crore every day in Delhi, of which Central Delhi has a share of around Rs 250 crore. There is a possibility that business worth Rs 250 crore will be affected every day due to the protest. The reason is that the business organization has decided to keep shops, hotels, restaurants and offices closed as a precaution.
NDTA issued advice to keep shops closed
In fact, New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) has advised all shopkeepers, offices and restaurants of Connaught Place to remain closed on Saturday in view of security. The association has said that considering the current situation in the area and the possible protest, business establishments should take precautions so that any untoward incident or loss of property can be avoided.
In the advisory issued by NDTA General Secretary Vikram Badhwar, owners and operators of all establishments have been asked to follow the advice of the authorities and cooperate. This advisory has been issued for October 10, 2026.
Impact on business worth Rs 250 crore
Business organizations of Delhi have expressed concern about the demonstration. According to Praveen Khandelwal, National General Secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the time from October 2026 to January 2027 is one of the most important seasons for the business of Delhi.
According to business estimates, the daily business in Delhi during this period is around Rs 500 to 600 crore. If access to key markets is affected due to protests, road jams or traffic restrictions, business worth about Rs 250 crore per day in the prime business areas of Old and New Delhi may be affected.
Although this is the estimate of the business organization, but due to metro and transport restrictions, if customers will not arrive, then there is no possibility of shopping or business. Businessmen are worried that the disruption in the movement of customers may affect the earnings of people involved in shops, restaurants, transportation and supply systems.
Why increased anxiety during festive and wedding season?
Business organizations say that between October and January, shopping in the markets increases due to festivals and wedding ceremonies. At such a time, traders may suffer losses due to disruption in access to markets.
According to organizations, there are more than 10 lakh business establishments in Delhi and the livelihood of more than one crore people is linked to them. A large number of traders from other states of the country also come to Delhi for business.
If customer traffic in key markets reduces, it could impact not just shopkeepers but also employees, small businesses, freight forwarders, suppliers and other service providers.
The condition of CP was like this recently during the Congress protest.
Photo Credit: IANS
‘Instead of Jantar Mantar, some other place should be decided for the movement’
Business organizations of Delhi have urged the government to decide on such an alternative place for the demonstration and protest, which does not affect business, transport and movement of common people.
Officials of New Delhi Traders Association, Khan Market Traders Association, Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchants Association, Delhi Drug Dealers Association, Cloth Market Fatehpuri and other business organizations have also raised this concern.
Business organizations say that political parties must demonstrate under democratic rights, but the programs should be at designated places and for a limited period. This can avoid disruption of business and traffic in Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Connaught Place and other major markets.
‘The right to protest has its place, but business should also not stop’
Business organizations have jointly said that it is necessary to respect the right to protest, but due to this the everyday economic activities of millions of businessmen, employees and common people should not be disrupted.
At present, the biggest concern for the businessmen of Connaught Place is regarding the security arrangements and movement of customers on Saturday. NDTA has advised to keep the establishments closed as a precautionary measure. Its actual impact will depend on how extensive and how long security restrictions remain in place during the demonstration.
Source: ndtv.in
