Delhi markets to close on Games opening, closing days

NEW DELHI - Popular Delhi markets including Connaught Place have been advised by police to remain closed on the opening and closing days of the Commonwealth Games in October and instead remain open on their weekly day off.

The Delhi Police advisory is part of the security arrangements for the Oct 3-14 Games here.

Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said: “We are in the process of issuing advisory to market associations about the closure of shops on the opening and closing days of the Commonwealth Games. We especially want the major markets near the Games venues to remain closed on the two days. However, the markets can stay open on their weekly day off,” Bhagat told IANS.

The opening and the closing ceremonies of the Games, on Oct 3 and 14 respectively, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in south Delhi.

Khan Market is located only two kilometres from the stadium.

Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders Association, told IANS: “We received the police advisory about two weeks back. We will surely follow the guidelines as security is of prime concern and anything to do with the Commonwealth Games is a matter of national pride. However, the market will stay open on Monday to minimise our losses.

“The advisory makes sense. On the opening and the closing days of the Games, if the markets are closed, the traffic will be relatively smooth,” he said.

Khan Market, which is a favourite with diplomats and expatriates, is normally shut Monday. But since the opening ceremony falls on a Sunday, it will close that day.

A shopkeeper at Connaught Place said: “Business will definitely be affected by closing the market on two days. But by keeping the market open on the weekly day off, the loss will be compensated to an extent.”

Shopkeepers in some other markets like Sarojini Nagar are still to receive the advisory.