New Delhi/Alive News: The INDIA bloc rally held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, reportedly affected business activities across the national capital, with traders claiming losses of around ₹11,000 crore.
According to the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) and other traders’ organisations, nearly 2.5 lakh shops across 20 major markets in Delhi remained closed due to the rally and the security arrangements and traffic restrictions imposed in the city. Traders said the disruption, coming just ahead of Diwali, affected commercial activities during the crucial festive shopping season.
CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the organisation had written to Rahul Gandhi four times, raising concerns over the possible impact of the rally on traders and transport services. The association had estimated that business worth ₹10,000 crore to ₹12,000 crore could be affected, particularly within a 10-kilometre radius of the rally venue.
Traders alleged that restrictions on vehicle movement and road closures disrupted the movement of customers, goods and commercial transport, resulting in substantial financial losses.
Several prominent INDIA bloc leaders attended the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and Tejashwi Yadav.
The bloc’s ‘Chalo Delhi’ march began near the Minto Road junction in Connaught Place, with party workers and leaders proceeding towards the rally venue.
However, the estimated ₹11,000 crore loss is based on traders’ association claims and has not been independently verified.
