The festive cheer in Delhi-NCR's markets has been smothered by a thick blanket of toxic air, with traders reporting a devastating crash in customer visits and sales during the crucial New Year season. The alarming drop has prompted urgent appeals to the government for immediate intervention.
Traders Sound Alarm Over Vanishing Shoppers
In a formal communication to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has laid bare the severe economic impact of the capital's air quality crisis. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal revealed that the city's descent into the 'severe' air quality category has directly deterred consumers from venturing out for shopping.
Daily shopper numbers from the National Capital Region visiting Delhi have collapsed from approximately 3-4 lakh to just 1 lakh, marking a staggering decline of about 66%. This exodus of customers is translating into steep financial losses for businesses reliant on the year-end shopping rush.
Regional Crisis Calls for Multi-State Solution
The traders' body emphasized that this is not a problem confined to Delhi's borders. Neighbouring urban centres including Noida, Faridabad, Gurgaon, and Sonipat are also grappling with dangerously high pollution levels, creating a widespread regional economic slowdown.
To address this pan-NCR issue, the CTI has called on the central government to convene a high-level emergency meeting. They have requested the participation of chief ministers and environment ministers from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to formulate a coordinated action plan.
Staggered Timings and Mounting Losses
CTI leaders, including Patron Suresh Agarwal and Vice-President Rajesh Khanna, issued a stern warning. They cautioned that without the implementation of strict and effective measures, business losses will continue to escalate, further damaging the local economy.
Expressing a willingness to cooperate with authorities, the traders' body has suggested practical steps like staggered market operating hours to help reduce traffic congestion and associated pollution. They assert that such collective efforts are essential to lure shoppers back to the markets and safeguard livelihoods.
