Delhi markets shut amid protests: Khan Market, Connaught Place, South Extension traders fear Rs 1.5 lakh loss per shop

Markets in New Delhi, including Khan Market and Connaught Place, remained closed on Saturday amid protests planned by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and demonstrations by INDIA bloc members, with traders citing fears of property damage, traffic disruptions and mounting business losses, ANI reported.

Traders’ associations said shopkeepers had opted to shut their establishments amid concerns about possible violence and the impact of repeated demonstrations on commercial activity. They also flagged the financial strain of keeping businesses closed while continuing to bear expenses such as rent, employee salaries and the cost of perishable goods.

Sanjiv Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders Association, told ANI that shopkeepers had independently decided to keep the market shut, citing concerns about the proximity of protests and the potential risks to businesses.


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“We decided ourselves to keep it shut. Khan Market is among the first markets affected when protesters are stopped nearby, raising fears of damage to shops and property,” Mehra said.

He added that businesses in Khan Market, Connaught Place and South Extension faced substantial fixed expenses even when they were unable to operate.

“A single day’s closure can cause losses of Rs 1-1.5 lakh per shop. Perishable goods, such as fruits and groceries, add to the losses,” Mehra told ANI, urging political parties to reconsider their approach and organise peaceful demonstrations away from busy commercial areas.

Khan Market traders cite repeated protests

Brij Gopal Khosla, vice president of the Khan Market Association, said frequent protests were making it increasingly difficult for traders to sustain their businesses and meet operating expenses.

“Business is being affected by protests happening almost every day; it is becoming difficult to sustain businesses, pay rent and meet workers’ expenses,” Khosla told ANI.

He said shopkeepers had decided against opening their establishments because of concerns about possible violence and damage to shops and vehicles. According to Khosla, an advisory warning of a possible escalation in tensions had also influenced the market association’s decision.

“The authority issued an advisory that tensions could escalate, and the market association decided not to risk opening shops,” he added.

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Connaught Place remains shut amid disruptions

Connaught Place also remained closed on Saturday, according to Atul Bhargav, president of the New Delhi Traders Association. He told ANI that demonstrations by INDIA bloc members around the commercial hub had disrupted business over the preceding four to five days.

Bhargav said road closures, traffic congestion and inconvenience to the public had affected commercial activity in the area.

“The protest-related disruptions have been affecting business for the past four to five days, with demonstrations by INDIA bloc members around Connaught Place causing road closures, traffic jams and inconvenience to the public,” he told ANI.

He added that concerns had intensified on Saturday following the CJP’s announcement of a protest, for which permission had not been granted, according to his account.

“The situation has become more serious today. The Cockroach Janata Party had announced a protest but was not granted permission. Given the possibility of the situation escalating, authorities have advised us to remain closed,” Bhargav said.

The traders’ statements underline the concerns of commercial establishments in areas affected by demonstrations, particularly the financial burden of closures and the risks shopkeepers associate with protests near busy markets.