The CTI has written to Rahul Gandhi regarding the Congress mega rally scheduled for November 1st in DelhiTraders have expressed concerns about heavy traffic jams and disruption to business in more than 20 markets and have demanded that the rally be rescheduled for after Diwali.
Published: October 27, 2026, 12:38 PM IST
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20,000 vehicles, 10-km of traffic jam, mega rally threatens 20 markets in Delhi, CTI appeals to Rahul Gandhi (PTI)
The upcoming Congress mega rally in Delhi on November 1 has raised concerns among traders who fear the rally will cause traffic jams in 20 markets across Delhi due to the 1 million people and 20,000 vehicles attending the rallyConsequently, Delhi businesses have demanded the mega rally be rescheduled for after DiwaliThe Chamber of Trade and Industry has written a letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding this matter.
Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), the apex body of traders and entrepreneurs in Delhi, today wrote a detailed letter to Congress President Rahul Gandhi, demanding that the mega rally of 10 lakh people proposed at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 be shifted to after Diwali.
CTI has also sent a copy of this letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and has demanded that he discuss the matter with the allies.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said that yesterday Rahul Gandhi had sent an address to the traders on the social media platform, in which he made it clear that he will not rest until he holds a rally on November 1 during this peak Diwali season.
After his statement, anxiety and disappointment has increased among the traders of 20 big markets around Ramlila Maidan and an atmosphere of panic has arisen.
- Traders are worried whether barricading will take place on October 31 itself and whether the roads will be closed?
- Will shops be able to open on 31 October and 1 November and will customers be able to reach the shops?
- If 10 lakh people come, will 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles also come?
- Where will the parking be?
- The letter stated that senior Congress leaders are openly stating that 1 million people from across India will attend the rallyCTI’s calculations indicate that
- 10,000 to 12,000 large buses, even at 50 people per bus
- 5,000 to 7,000 small vehicles (cars, tempo travellers, minibuses, e-rickshaws)
- A total convoy of 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles will enter Delhi.
The CTI says the question is where will these 20,000 vehicles go and where will they be parked? There isn’t even authorized parking space for 200 vehicles around Ramlila MaidanTwenty major wholesale and retail markets surrounding Ramlila Maidan will be directly affected.
The CTI clarified that Ramlila Maidan is surrounded by Delhi’s largest wholesale and retail marketsAll access routes to Ramlila Maidan pass through these marketsThe lanes of Delhi-6 are 10-12 feet wide, causing a three-hour traffic jam if a truck gets stuck.
These 20 major markets may be affected by the mega rally.
1Chandni Chowk (world famous market with 100 large squares)
2Bhagirath Palace (Asia’s largest electrical market)
3Khari Baoli (Asia’s largest spice and dry fruits market)
4Sadar Bazaar (famous market of 40 thousand shops)
5Chawri Bazaar (World famous for hardware and sanitary ware)
6Kashmiri Gate (Asia’s largest auto parts market)
7Nabi Karim (famous for leather and resin products)
8Karol Bagh
9Ajmeri Gate
10Daryaganj / Kitab Market
11New Road
12Kinari Bazaar
13Dariba Kalan / Jewellery Market
14Fatehpuri
15Lahori Gate / Machinery Market
16Filmistan / Furniture Market
17Paharganj
18Ghaffar Market
19Jama Masjid / Meena Bazaar
20Red Fort / Lajpat Rai Market
21New Market (Grain Market)
What is the demand for CTI?
CTI has demanded that, in the public interest and for the benefit of traders, this rally be held after Bhaiya Dooj, November 10If the rally is mandatory on November 1st, then it should be shifted from Ramlila Maidan to an open space like Burari Ground or Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where it will not impact the marketsA rally of 1 million people on November 1 would bring business across Old Delhi to a standstill, resulting in losses of ₹10,000 crore.
