New Delhi, Oct 2026: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), an apex organisation representing traders and entrepreneurs in Delhi, has urged Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to postpone the party's proposed mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, warning that the event could disrupt business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across nearly 20 major commercial markets in the national capital.
In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, the traders' body has requested that the rally, expected to draw around 10 lakh people, be rescheduled to November 10-11 or a later date. The organisation said holding such a large gathering in central Delhi during the peak Diwali shopping season could affect the movement of goods, retail sales and wholesale business.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal clarified that the organisation was not opposed to the Congress rally but was concerned about its timing, which coincides with one of the busiest periods for traders. Dhanteras falls on November 6, while Diwali will be celebrated on November 8.
"We are not opposing the rally. We are humbly appealing to save our livelihoods during the peak Diwali season. Dhanteras falls on November 6 and Diwali on November 8. November 1 is one of the busiest days for preparations. If 10 lakh people and 15,000-20,000 vehicles arrive in central Delhi on that day, business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore across 20 historic markets will come to a standstill," Goyal said.
Parking and traffic congestion concerns
In its representation, the CTI has highlighted four major concerns: inadequate parking facilities, traffic congestion, disruption to goods transportation and the potential impact on wholesale and retail trade.
The organisation pointed out that Ramlila Maidan does not have sufficient parking space to accommodate even 200 large buses. It has questioned where the estimated 15,000-20,000 buses, cars and other vehicles bringing rally participants would be parked.
According to the CTI, the arrival of such a large number of vehicles could put pressure on major roads, including Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, Ajmeri Gate and Chandni Chowk Road, as well as adjoining areas.
The traders' body said nearly 20 major wholesale and retail markets are located within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. These include Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Connaught Place, Palika Bazaar, Janpath, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Kashmere Gate, Naya Bazaar, Lajpat Rai Market, Chawri Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar, Dariba Kalan, Ballimaran, Fatehpuri, Tilak Bazaar, Karol Bagh, Jama Masjid, Nabi Karim, Gaffar Market, Ajmeri Gate-Paharganj and Daryaganj.
The CTI claimed that these commercial centres collectively conduct business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore every day and supply goods to different parts of the country. Any major disruption to road access, it said, could affect both traders and customers during the festive shopping period.
Goods transportation could face disruption
The organisation also raised concerns over the movement of goods to and from Delhi's major markets. According to the CTI, around 5,000 trucks and tempos transport goods every day from 56 industrial areas, including Narela, Bawana, Okhla, Mayapuri, Mundka, Udyog Nagar and Mangolpuri.
In addition, nearly 3,000 trucks carry goods daily from these markets to 25 cities across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Sonipat and Panipat, besides destinations in other states.
The traders' body warned that the disruption could begin even before the rally, as vehicles carrying participants may start arriving at Delhi's borders from October 31. The entry points mentioned include Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and Badarpur.
The CTI said transporters had already expressed reluctance to send vehicles into the affected areas from October 31, raising the possibility of delays in the supply of festive goods to markets.
Goyal referred to an earlier gathering at Jantar Mantar on October 10, which, according to the organisation, involved around 5,000-7,000 people and caused traffic congestion in central Delhi for nearly eight hours. He expressed concern about the possible consequences of a rally expected to attract approximately 10 lakh participants.
CTI proposes alternative date or venue
The traders' organisation has put forward two suggestions to Sonia Gandhi to address its concerns.
First, it has requested that the November 1 rally be postponed until November 10-11 or later, allowing traders to complete their Dhanteras and Diwali business without disruption.
Alternatively, if the Congress leadership is unable to change the date, the CTI has suggested shifting the rally from Ramlila Maidan to Burari Ground. The organisation said the alternative venue has parking capacity for around 15,000 vehicles and could help reduce the pressure on central Delhi's roads and commercial areas.
Goyal said the traders' body had earlier written three letters to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, requesting that the rally be rescheduled, but its appeal had not been accepted.
Emphasising the importance of the commercial centres, Goyal said the markets were central to Delhi's economy and played a major role in supplying goods to businesses across the country.
"These 20 markets are not just markets; they are the heartbeat of Delhi. Business worth Rs 10,000-12,000 crore takes place here every day, and Dhanteras is on November 6. Traders are worried that if central Delhi faces a lockdown-like traffic jam on October 31 and November 1, how will their festive goods reach the markets and be transported from there?" he said.
The CTI said its appeal was intended to ensure that the proposed political rally did not interfere with business operations, the transportation of goods and festive preparations in some of the capital's busiest commercial districts.
With Dhanteras and Diwali approaching, the traders' body has urged the Congress leadership to consider the concerns of the business community while finalising arrangements for the November 1 event.
