All three Dilli Haats shut

Ever since some cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the Capital, the Dilli Haat at INA — which on an average clock in 3,000 visitors a day as per DTTDC figures — wore a deserted look. On Friday, the last day it functioned before being temporarily shut, only two ticket counters out of five were operational. Inside, there was an eerie calm – with no shoppers or patrons at its thriving eateries.

The vendors from all over the country had set up shops like usual but are getting no visitors. Ram Chand from Odisha, who is selling Sambalpuri ikat fabric, said, “Around 25 vendors were invited by the government from different states between March 16 and 31. We haven’t got any visitors or made any sales yet.” Most of them were talking about requesting the management to extend their term by another fortnight so that they can clock some sales before returning to their respective places.

Even as the temporary vendors are government invitees and don’t have to shell out any rent, there are permanent traders having shops inside Dilli Haat, who pay to the tune of Rs 25,000 for 15 days. They also seemed quite dejected. Says Hukam Chand, who sells trinkets and imitation jewellery, “The management should waive off our rent since we are not able to make any profits.”

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