Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Delhi Markets Shut as Festive Shopping Begins Amid Disruption
Several busy shopping areas in Delhi were expected to close or trade less on October 10.
The closures came as a protest was planned at Jantar Mantar.
Some trader groups said they wanted to protect shops and property.
Travel was also expected to be difficult, with 45 metro stations closed and traffic diversions at 30 points.
The timing was difficult for shoppers because Navratri was due to begin the next day.
Dussehra and Diwali were also approaching.
But some traders in Old Delhi disagreed with closing.
They said the festive season is an important time to sell goods and that they had not received a formal police closure notice.
Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and parts of Old Delhi were expected to close or limit trading on October 10.
Trader groups cited police advisories and concerns about possible damage to shops and property.
A protest at Jantar Mantar coincided with the closures, while 45 metro stations were closed and diversions were in place at 30 points.
The disruption came just before Navratri began on October 11, ahead of Dussehra and Diwali.
Some Old Delhi traders opposed the shutdown, saying it threatened peak festive sales and that they had received no formal police circular.
- Who
- Traders in Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar and parts of Old Delhi, along with Delhi commuters and shoppers.
- What
- Markets were set to close or limit trading amid a protest, metro station closures and traffic diversions.
- When
- October 10, 2026; Navratri was due to begin October 11.
- Where
- Central Delhi, including Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar and parts of Old Delhi; the protest was at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Trader bodies cited police advisories and concerns about safety and possible damage to shops and property.
Support closures as a precaution
Keep markets open for festive trade
Whether shops should close
Support closures as a precaution
Trader groups in several areas advised closures, citing police advisories and concerns about safety or damage to shops and property.
Keep markets open for festive trade
Some traders in Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk and other Old Delhi markets challenged the closure call during peak festive sales.
Basis for the closure
Support closures as a precaution
The New Lajpat Nagar Market Traders Association said Delhi Police had instructed the market to stay closed on safety grounds.
Keep markets open for festive trade
Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal's Sanjay Bhargava said the market had received no formal police circular and noted that festival stock is bought on credit or bank loans.
- Market closure date
- October 10, 2026
- Markets mentioned
- Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar and parts of Old Delhi
- Metro impact
- 45 metro stations were closed
- Traffic impact
- Diversions were in place at 30 points
- Karol Bagh advisory
- Traders were advised to keep shops shut until 2 pm and review the situation afterward
- Festive timing
- Navratri was due to begin October 11, with Dussehra and Diwali to follow
- Disagreement
- Some Old Delhi traders questioned the closure call and said they had received no formal police circular