No UPI, no cabs: Hit by CJP protests, Connaught Place traders say recovery still a month away
The protests at Jantar Mantar and the restrictions that followed paralysed traffic, crippled UPI payments and emptied shops, hitting businesses across Connaught Place, New Delhi's commercial hub. Now, with the agitation over, traders are hoping for a slow but steady recovery. Business fell to just 25% of normal, and traders say it could take another 30 days to recover.
After 49 days of protests at Jantar Mantar and the violence that followed on July 20, normalcy is returning to Connaught Place (CP), one of the biggest commercial hubs of New Delhi. Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on Saturday, and the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP's) withdrawal of the protests have brought relief for both shoppers and traders in Connaught Place, located only 650 meters north-west of Jantar Mantar.
As the protests intensified for over a month, business establishments took a big hit.
Connaught Place or CP, the British-era complex, is lined with offices, shops, restaurants and other establishments and is one of the busiest business districts of the capital, bringing in hundreds of thousands of people, from workers to tourists every day. According to some estimates, the area features 1,400 retail shops and over 1,000 corporate and commercial offices.
The area was also caught in the crosshairs after thousands of protesters descended upon Jantar Mantar and the nearby areas of Lutyens' Delhi after the violent crackdown on July 20 which also saw the use of pellet guns by security personnel.
India Today Digital documented how restrictions imposed by authorities, including the suspension of mobile internet services, the mandatory closure of offices after 6.30 pm, and the shutdown of several Metro stations left thousands of commuters trapped in a traffic nightmare.
The same measures also dealt a severe blow to businesses and traders across CP, who depend on a steady flow of office workers and tourists. With customers disappearing, internet services cut off, and disruption to business operations during peak trading hours, many found themselves dealing with significant losses.
Now, with the agitation over, traders are hoping for a slow but steady recovery. Business fell to just 25% of normal, and they say it could take another 30 days to recover.
When India Today Digital visited Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar on Friday afternoon, the area was packed with demonstrators of every political stripe, while heavy police and some RAF deployment kept a close watch. But even as protesters were energetic and enthusiastic, traders spoke about their empty shops, dwindling footfall and mounting losses.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS, INTERNET RESTRICTIONS LED TO LOSSES
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA), which represents businesses in Connaught Place, told news agency PTI that traders have generated only about 25% of their usual business over the past week, because of restrictions on internet connectivity, public transport and business operating hours.
Similar concerns were echoed by traders who spoke to India Today Digital on Friday.
"We have incurred significant losses because of everything happening nearby," said Parvesh Bardi, proprietor of Malik Sweet House, a confectionery shop in Connaught Place.
"Our customers are mostly office-goers, tourists and shoppers. Almost all of them have stopped coming since the protests took over Jantar Mantar," Bardi told India Today Digital. He added that the suspension of mobile internet services had further hurt business by disrupting digital payments.
"Hardly anyone carries cash anymore. Almost everyone pays through UPI. With the mobile network cut off, even the few customers who do come are unable to make payments easily. That has also affected our business," Bardi said.
LOST 90% OF CUSTOMERS DURING PROTESTS, HAD TO THROW AWAY FOOD: RESTAURANT MANAGER
Kumesh, who was managing Madras Coffee House on Friday, said the combination of the protests and the mandatory 6.30 pm closure had dealt a heavy blow to the restaurant's business.
"Customers have stopped coming here. We have lost 90% of our customers since the protests gathered momentum. Most of our customers used to come after 6.30 pm," Kumesh told India Today Digital on Friday.
He said the sharp drop in footfall was forcing the restaurant to discard unsold perishable food every day due to a lack of customers.
When police and RAF personnel clashed with demonstrators on July 20, these traders in CP also found themselves dealing with the fallout.
"There was stone throwing near our store. All of us were afraid of the wellbeing of our property and ourselves," Parvesh Bardi of Malik Sweet House told India Today Digital on Friday.
"A tear gas shell landed right outside our door. Thankfully, it did not explode," Kumesh of Madras Coffee House stated, adding that "that day we were sheltering students caught in the melee, giving them water to wash out their eyes which were stinging due to the police using tear gas on these kids".
On Friday, however, India Today Digital observed several franchise restaurants and eateries doing brisk business, catering to the large influx of demonstrators. Even these establishments were forced to turn away customers unable to pay in cash. Pharmacies and medical stores remained open beyond the newly imposed 6.30 pm closing time.
A MONTH NEEDED TO RETURN TO NORMALCY, CP TRADERS SEE HOPE
However, now on Sunday evening, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, the CJP's withdrawal of the protests, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reopening stations, and resumption of mobile internet, traders in CP are hopeful of normalcy.
Speaking to India Today Digital on Sunday evening, Puneet Sharma, owner of the Connaught Place-based Amrit Book Company, said that his business has suffered significant losses over the past few weeks. But he is optimistic about a recovery.
"We suffered serious losses because customers stopped coming after the Metro stations were shut, and internet connectivity was cut. We were losing money just by keeping the store open," Sharma said, adding that, "It will take some time for customers to regain confidence and return, probably at least a month, but we are confident we will eventually recover our losses."
Ratan Singh, online manager at Malik Sweet House, was more optimistic. "Of course, we'll recover our losses. There's no question about that. It may not happen tomorrow, it could take a few days or even longer, but we'll get there," he told India Today Digital.
"But that doesn't change the fact that we suffered a great deal because the protests paralysed Connaught Place for so long," he added.
For the traders of Delhi's primary commercial hub, the end of the protests marks the beginning of a long road to recovery. While business is expected to pick up with Metro services restored and restrictions lifted, many believe it will take weeks before footfall returns to pre-protest levels.
After 49 days of protests at Jantar Mantar and the violence that followed on July 20, normalcy is returning to Connaught Place (CP), one of the biggest commercial hubs of New Delhi. Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on Saturday, and the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP's) withdrawal of the protests have brought relief for both shoppers and traders in Connaught Place, located only 650 meters north-west of Jantar Mantar.
As the protests intensified for over a month, business establishments took a big hit.
Connaught Place or CP, the British-era complex, is lined with offices, shops, restaurants and other establishments and is one of the busiest business districts of the capital, bringing in hundreds of thousands of people, from workers to tourists every day. According to some estimates, the area features 1,400 retail shops and over 1,000 corporate and commercial offices.
The area was also caught in the crosshairs after thousands of protesters descended upon Jantar Mantar and the nearby areas of Lutyens' Delhi after the violent crackdown on July 20 which also saw the use of pellet guns by security personnel.
India Today Digital documented how restrictions imposed by authorities, including the suspension of mobile internet services, the mandatory closure of offices after 6.30 pm, and the shutdown of several Metro stations left thousands of commuters trapped in a traffic nightmare.
The same measures also dealt a severe blow to businesses and traders across CP, who depend on a steady flow of office workers and tourists. With customers disappearing, internet services cut off, and disruption to business operations during peak trading hours, many found themselves dealing with significant losses.
Now, with the agitation over, traders are hoping for a slow but steady recovery. Business fell to just 25% of normal, and they say it could take another 30 days to recover.
When India Today Digital visited Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar on Friday afternoon, the area was packed with demonstrators of every political stripe, while heavy police and some RAF deployment kept a close watch. But even as protesters were energetic and enthusiastic, traders spoke about their empty shops, dwindling footfall and mounting losses.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS, INTERNET RESTRICTIONS LED TO LOSSES
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA), which represents businesses in Connaught Place, told news agency PTI that traders have generated only about 25% of their usual business over the past week, because of restrictions on internet connectivity, public transport and business operating hours.
Similar concerns were echoed by traders who spoke to India Today Digital on Friday.
"We have incurred significant losses because of everything happening nearby," said Parvesh Bardi, proprietor of Malik Sweet House, a confectionery shop in Connaught Place.
"Our customers are mostly office-goers, tourists and shoppers. Almost all of them have stopped coming since the protests took over Jantar Mantar," Bardi told India Today Digital. He added that the suspension of mobile internet services had further hurt business by disrupting digital payments.
"Hardly anyone carries cash anymore. Almost everyone pays through UPI. With the mobile network cut off, even the few customers who do come are unable to make payments easily. That has also affected our business," Bardi said.
LOST 90% OF CUSTOMERS DURING PROTESTS, HAD TO THROW AWAY FOOD: RESTAURANT MANAGER
Kumesh, who was managing Madras Coffee House on Friday, said the combination of the protests and the mandatory 6.30 pm closure had dealt a heavy blow to the restaurant's business.
"Customers have stopped coming here. We have lost 90% of our customers since the protests gathered momentum. Most of our customers used to come after 6.30 pm," Kumesh told India Today Digital on Friday.
He said the sharp drop in footfall was forcing the restaurant to discard unsold perishable food every day due to a lack of customers.
When police and RAF personnel clashed with demonstrators on July 20, these traders in CP also found themselves dealing with the fallout.
"There was stone throwing near our store. All of us were afraid of the wellbeing of our property and ourselves," Parvesh Bardi of Malik Sweet House told India Today Digital on Friday.
"A tear gas shell landed right outside our door. Thankfully, it did not explode," Kumesh of Madras Coffee House stated, adding that "that day we were sheltering students caught in the melee, giving them water to wash out their eyes which were stinging due to the police using tear gas on these kids".
On Friday, however, India Today Digital observed several franchise restaurants and eateries doing brisk business, catering to the large influx of demonstrators. Even these establishments were forced to turn away customers unable to pay in cash. Pharmacies and medical stores remained open beyond the newly imposed 6.30 pm closing time.
A MONTH NEEDED TO RETURN TO NORMALCY, CP TRADERS SEE HOPE
However, now on Sunday evening, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, the CJP's withdrawal of the protests, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reopening stations, and resumption of mobile internet, traders in CP are hopeful of normalcy.
Speaking to India Today Digital on Sunday evening, Puneet Sharma, owner of the Connaught Place-based Amrit Book Company, said that his business has suffered significant losses over the past few weeks. But he is optimistic about a recovery.
"We suffered serious losses because customers stopped coming after the Metro stations were shut, and internet connectivity was cut. We were losing money just by keeping the store open," Sharma said, adding that, "It will take some time for customers to regain confidence and return, probably at least a month, but we are confident we will eventually recover our losses."
Ratan Singh, online manager at Malik Sweet House, was more optimistic. "Of course, we'll recover our losses. There's no question about that. It may not happen tomorrow, it could take a few days or even longer, but we'll get there," he told India Today Digital.
"But that doesn't change the fact that we suffered a great deal because the protests paralysed Connaught Place for so long," he added.
For the traders of Delhi's primary commercial hub, the end of the protests marks the beginning of a long road to recovery. While business is expected to pick up with Metro services restored and restrictions lifted, many believe it will take weeks before footfall returns to pre-protest levels.
After 49 days of protests at Jantar Mantar and the violence that followed on July 20, normalcy is returning to Connaught Place (CP), one of the biggest commercial hubs of New Delhi. Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on Saturday, and the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP's) withdrawal of the protests have brought relief for both shoppers and traders in Connaught Place, located only 650 meters north-west of Jantar Mantar.
As the protests intensified for over a month, business establishments took a big hit.
Connaught Place or CP, the British-era complex, is lined with offices, shops, restaurants and other establishments and is one of the busiest business districts of the capital, bringing in hundreds of thousands of people, from workers to tourists every day. According to some estimates, the area features 1,400 retail shops and over 1,000 corporate and commercial offices.
The area was also caught in the crosshairs after thousands of protesters descended upon Jantar Mantar and the nearby areas of Lutyens' Delhi after the violent crackdown on July 20 which also saw the use of pellet guns by security personnel.
India Today Digital documented how restrictions imposed by authorities, including the suspension of mobile internet services, the mandatory closure of offices after 6.30 pm, and the shutdown of several Metro stations left thousands of commuters trapped in a traffic nightmare.
The same measures also dealt a severe blow to businesses and traders across CP, who depend on a steady flow of office workers and tourists. With customers disappearing, internet services cut off, and disruption to business operations during peak trading hours, many found themselves dealing with significant losses.
Now, with the agitation over, traders are hoping for a slow but steady recovery. Business fell to just 25% of normal, and they say it could take another 30 days to recover.
When India Today Digital visited Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar on Friday afternoon, the area was packed with demonstrators of every political stripe, while heavy police and some RAF deployment kept a close watch. But even as protesters were energetic and enthusiastic, traders spoke about their empty shops, dwindling footfall and mounting losses.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS, INTERNET RESTRICTIONS LED TO LOSSES
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA), which represents businesses in Connaught Place, told news agency PTI that traders have generated only about 25% of their usual business over the past week, because of restrictions on internet connectivity, public transport and business operating hours.
Similar concerns were echoed by traders who spoke to India Today Digital on Friday.
"We have incurred significant losses because of everything happening nearby," said Parvesh Bardi, proprietor of Malik Sweet House, a confectionery shop in Connaught Place.
"Our customers are mostly office-goers, tourists and shoppers. Almost all of them have stopped coming since the protests took over Jantar Mantar," Bardi told India Today Digital. He added that the suspension of mobile internet services had further hurt business by disrupting digital payments.
"Hardly anyone carries cash anymore. Almost everyone pays through UPI. With the mobile network cut off, even the few customers who do come are unable to make payments easily. That has also affected our business," Bardi said.
LOST 90% OF CUSTOMERS DURING PROTESTS, HAD TO THROW AWAY FOOD: RESTAURANT MANAGER
Kumesh, who was managing Madras Coffee House on Friday, said the combination of the protests and the mandatory 6.30 pm closure had dealt a heavy blow to the restaurant's business.
"Customers have stopped coming here. We have lost 90% of our customers since the protests gathered momentum. Most of our customers used to come after 6.30 pm," Kumesh told India Today Digital on Friday.
He said the sharp drop in footfall was forcing the restaurant to discard unsold perishable food every day due to a lack of customers.
When police and RAF personnel clashed with demonstrators on July 20, these traders in CP also found themselves dealing with the fallout.
"There was stone throwing near our store. All of us were afraid of the wellbeing of our property and ourselves," Parvesh Bardi of Malik Sweet House told India Today Digital on Friday.
"A tear gas shell landed right outside our door. Thankfully, it did not explode," Kumesh of Madras Coffee House stated, adding that "that day we were sheltering students caught in the melee, giving them water to wash out their eyes which were stinging due to the police using tear gas on these kids".
On Friday, however, India Today Digital observed several franchise restaurants and eateries doing brisk business, catering to the large influx of demonstrators. Even these establishments were forced to turn away customers unable to pay in cash. Pharmacies and medical stores remained open beyond the newly imposed 6.30 pm closing time.
A MONTH NEEDED TO RETURN TO NORMALCY, CP TRADERS SEE HOPE
However, now on Sunday evening, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, the CJP's withdrawal of the protests, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation reopening stations, and resumption of mobile internet, traders in CP are hopeful of normalcy.
Speaking to India Today Digital on Sunday evening, Puneet Sharma, owner of the Connaught Place-based Amrit Book Company, said that his business has suffered significant losses over the past few weeks. But he is optimistic about a recovery.
"We suffered serious losses because customers stopped coming after the Metro stations were shut, and internet connectivity was cut. We were losing money just by keeping the store open," Sharma said, adding that, "It will take some time for customers to regain confidence and return, probably at least a month, but we are confident we will eventually recover our losses."
Ratan Singh, online manager at Malik Sweet House, was more optimistic. "Of course, we'll recover our losses. There's no question about that. It may not happen tomorrow, it could take a few days or even longer, but we'll get there," he told India Today Digital.
"But that doesn't change the fact that we suffered a great deal because the protests paralysed Connaught Place for so long," he added.
For the traders of Delhi's primary commercial hub, the end of the protests marks the beginning of a long road to recovery. While business is expected to pick up with Metro services restored and restrictions lifted, many believe it will take weeks before footfall returns to pre-protest levels.
