NEW DELHI:
Traders of
Connaught Place have threatened to shut their shops to protest against the community laser show to be held from October 26-29 for
Diwali, if their issues are not resolved on priority.
Members of New Delhi Traders Association opposed Delhi government and New Delhi Municipal Council’s decision to close roads and parking lots to implement the project in the Inner Circle.
They said any event within the limit of Central Park is welcomed but celebrations in the Inner Circle would lead to chaos in the market.
“We’ve learnt that Delhi government and
traffic police will close some of the roads in CP for traffic from 6pm. The parking lots in two blocks will be used to host food stalls for four days. Any such plan is essentially against the character and design of CP since this has traditionally been a business district and not a cultural centre,” said Atul Bhargava, president of NDTA.
Traders claimed that neither Delhi government nor the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) consulted them for the the project plan. “Despite knowing that we will be directly impacted by the drive, no attempt was made to discuss the project with us. On the other hand, we attempted to approach the deputy chief minister and NDMC officials but failed,” said Sanjiv Gupta, vice president, NDTA.
Gupta said that if the authorities didn’t listen, traders will
shut shop during Diwali.