All major markets to be shut today

NEWDELHI: All major markets in Delhi will remain closed on Wednesday to protest against the ongoing sealing of commercial establishments on the directions of Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee.

Members of the associations of traders from across the city will congregate at Ramlila Ground in central Delhi to hold a protest rally on Wednesday, starting 11 am.

This may lead to traffic snarls in the area during morning rush hour, traffic police said.

Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police (Traffic) Garima Bhatnagar said, “We are expecting jam in morning hours here due to the rally at Ramlila Ground. We have made arrangements to manage the traffic and depending on the turnout more staff will be engaged,” she said.

“But no traffic advisory has been issued because we are not expecting more than 7,000 people,”she said.

Traders from Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Defence Colony, Greater Kailash,green Park, Khan Market, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Kashmiri Gate, Paharganj, Rajouri Garden, Rohini, Ashok Vihar, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Model Town, Gandhi Nagar, Preet Vihar and Amar Colony have agreed to keep their shops shut, representatives of market associations said.

Markets t hat were not affected by the sealing drive have also confirmed their participation.

These include Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk.

The shopkeepers, their employees and their families will join the traders at the rally in Ramlila Ground.

“Inclusion of family members in the rally will indicate how sealing of one shop affects the livelihood of about 20 families. In all, about 40 lakh people in Delhi are being affected by the sealing” said Paveen Khandelwal secretary-general, Confederatiuon of All India Traders. NEWDELHI: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has assured that the proposed sanitary landfill site (SLF) near the Yamuna bank in Geeta Colony will not be constructed, said Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Congress said that after a meeting with the party delegation and residents of trans-yamuna area, the L-G had agreed to issue an order against setting up of the facility.

Maken said the landfill, in the middle of a thickly populated area, encompassing Krishna Nagar, Rani Garden, Shastri Nagar, Taj Enclave, and Laxmi Nagar, and located just 200 metres away from the river bank will be a serious health hazard.

“It will lead to diseases and pollution of groundwater,” he said. Maken was accompanied by former health minister of Delhi Dr AK Walia.