UNLOCK DELHI: YOUR WEEKLY FIX IS BACK
Weekly markets aka bazaars have reopened and shoppers are gung ho about them
Men and women haggling over vegetable prices, college goers buying cheap clothes from patri, and people from lower income groups relishing street foods — this is a typical scene at most weekly market in Delhi. Having become an inseparable part of the Capital’s bustling life, these markets that were closed since March 25, have recently got the permission to reopen on a trial basis. And the joy of Delhiites sees no bounds.
Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has given a strict set of guidelines to vendors at these markets. Deepan Chopra, a Mayur Vihar resident, who recently visited the Monday market at Acharya Niketan, says, “It was a new experience for me to see hawkers trying to maintain social distancing... I went to buy some utility products. Was missing this bazaar all this while because I had to travel far to buy basics that are readily available here,” says Chopra.
Shopping and stocking her weekly quota of veggies, Anju Kataria a homemaker at a weekly market in north Delhi’s Shastri Nagar, says, “I’m tired of buying overpriced vegetables from local hawkers. Haggling in these markets makes me feel everything is normal again.”
Even clothes are on the shopping list of some. “I’m expecting colleges to reopen soon, and in times like these when my parents aren’t getting their whole salary, I thought why indulge in expensive clothes when good options are available here. And I’ve found a pair of comfy shorts already,” says a college student, on condition of anonymity. In a south Delhi weekly market, he looks for some printed shirts, and adds, “I’ve got jeans and linen trousers, so what I need now is a bright printed shirt to complete my look that’ll be one time wear.”
Sanjeev Kumar, who recently got back to manning his stall of readymade garments, which is put up outside a shop in south Delhi’s Pushp Vihar market, says, “The number of shops are very less due to social distancing, paanch mahine se kaam band tha to achcha hai ki kuch toh khula. Even if I earn ₹50-100, it’ll help sustain my family.”
Only two buyers are allowed at any stall, at a time. Each vendor is given a 6x4 area... We are hopeful that our markets won’t close again, after this trial.
RAJESH GUPTA PRESIDENT OF NORTH DELHI WEEKLY MARKET ASSOCIATION