New Delhi: The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s proposed ‘Delhi Chalo March’ at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, warning that the rally could cost Delhi traders up to ₹10,000 crore during the peak festive season.

In a letter to Gandhi, CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could disrupt business in markets near the venue, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Kashmiri Gate, Jama Masjid, Jhandewalan and Karol Bagh.

He said traffic diversions, road closures and possible restrictions on metro services could prevent goods and customers from reaching wholesale and retail markets.

Goyal said Delhi records business worth around ₹25,000 crore during the Dhanteras-Diwali period, which he described as the backbone of the Capital’s economy. He claimed traders had already suffered losses of up to ₹3,000 crore in October because of frequent rallies, marches and road closures in central Delhi.

While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, the traders’ body appealed to political parties to avoid demonstrations between Dhanteras on November 6 and Bhai Dooj on November 10. It also expressed concern about inconvenience to passengers using Old Delhi and New Delhi railway stations.

The appeal follows a Supreme Court hearing on October 16, during which the court warned that it could award compensation if protests disproportionately affected traders and daily-wage earners.