Delhi sealing: Day 2 of strike gets mixed response as Khan Market, CP, Karol Bagh open

The two-day strike called by the unions of Delhi traders against the sealing drive received a mixed response on Saturday with shops opening in popular markets such as Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk (Red Fort to Fatehpuri), parts of Karol Bagh and Khan Market on the second day.

“We support the bandh called by the traders associations but it was clarified on day one itself that our market will be closed for one day only. Today we are fully operational,” said Khan Market Traders’ Association president Sanjiv Mehra.

Traders at Old Delhi said that their markets fall in ‘special areas’ category and the monitoring committee members have clarified that no sealing drive will be carried here. “We kept the market closed in solidarity with other traders for one day but today we are open. Also, as per Delhi Master Plan 2021, no sealing or penal action in a special area will take place until a redevelopment plan is drafted and put into action. The markets in Khari Bhaoli area were opened even on Thursday,” said Sanjay Bhargava member, Chandni Chowk Trader Association.

Meanwhile, traders at some markets in Sarojini Nagar, Nehru Place, Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony flyover and Khari Baoli did not participate in the strike at all.

However, market in Defence Colony, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Green Park and Rajouri Garden were closed on the second day of strike also. The call for a two-day shutdown was taken at a meeting of Confederation of All India Traders at the Constitution Club in the national capital, which was attended by leaders of about 500 trade associations of the city on January 27.

Seeking intervention from the Centre, the traders body asked for a bill in Parliament to protect them from sealing. They are also not satisfied with the proposal approved by the Delhi Development Authority to bring amendments in master plan. “After concluding the strike today, we will send 12-point charter to Union minister for housing and urban affair, requesting him to consider these points before finalising the proposals approved by DDA recently,” said CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal.

Referring to the anomalies in DDA’s proposal, shopkeepers raised objection over some conditions. A group of traders will also meet the L-G on Tuesday to explain these points.