Delhi markets saw 40% lower biz due to CWG: survey

Prominent markets in the national capital witnessed as much as a 40 per cent decline in business due to hyped-up security for the Commonwealth Games (CWG), the Confederation of All-India Traders (CAIT) said today.

"The business in different markets of Delhi went down about by 30 per cent to 40 per cent," the CAIT said on the basis of a survey conducted at different commercial markets of Delhi.

The survey said there was not much of an influx of foreign tourists in the markets and even the regular flow of traders from other states witnessed a fall due to security restrictions, the closure of markets on the opening and closing day of the CWG and the failure of the government to make outstation people aware about the restrictions on transport movement, a CAIT release said.

The markets surveyed include Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar, Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Sadar Bazar, Janpath, Paharganj, Khan Market and Darya Ganj.

The CAIT said the markets of Delhi usually witness the "business season" from the start of Navratra up to Diwali, followed by the wedding season. However, due to the CWG this year, the traders continue to wait for the start of the boom season.