Traders and shopkeepers in Rori Bazaar staged a protest on Tuesday against the slow pace of the ongoing stormwater drainage project, alleging that delays have severely affected business and created safety hazards in one of the city’s busiest markets.
Protest led by trade body officials
The protest was led by Haryana Pradesh Vyapar Mandal district president Hira Lal Sharma and urban unit president Kirti Garg. Raising slogans, traders expressed anger over what they described as the administration’s failure to complete the project within the promised timeframe.
According to the traders, the administration had assured them that the stretch from Subhash Chowk to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk would be completed within two weeks through round-the-clock operations. However, despite the deadline having passed, the project remains unfinished, causing inconvenience to both shopkeepers and the public.
Uncovered pits pose safety risks
Shopkeepers said the market stretch from Jagdev Singh Chowk to Rori Bazaar has been badly affected by the construction work. They alleged that two large pits dug in the middle of the road have been left uncovered, posing a serious risk to pedestrians and motorists. Traders claimed that stray animals and even children have fallen into the pits in recent days.
“The work is moving at a snail’s pace while traders are already struggling due to poor business conditions,” Sharma said. He warned that the situation could worsen with the arrival of the monsoon season. If the project is not completed on time, rainwater could create further difficulties for shopkeepers and nearby residents, he added.
Work stalled for six days
Sharma also alleged that work at the site has remained completely stalled for the past six days, further increasing public inconvenience. He accused both the administration and the contractor of failing to take the issue seriously.
Following information about the protest, Municipal Council chairman Shanti Swaroop Bhatti reportedly contacted Sharma by telephone and assured him that he would visit the site to review the situation.
Warning of escalation
Meanwhile, Garg warned that if the authorities fail to take immediate action, traders may be forced to shut all shops in Rori Bazaar and hand over their keys to the administration as a mark of protest.
A large number of traders from Rori Bazaar and the Old Vegetable Market participated in the demonstration and demanded the early completion of the project to restore normal business activity in the area.
