Cheer mixes with fear: Markets struggle to control crowds, seek tighter security

With the festive season returning with full fervour after around two years, major markets, such as Sadar Bazar, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Chandni Chowk, and Karol Bagh, are seeing a huge rush. While traders are happy to see a semblance of normalcy in business after the Covid blow, there are also concerns over safety arrangements.

- Siddhanta Mishra & Abhay

Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), one of the biggest associations of traders in the city, has written to Delhi Police seeking more security in markets.

With Diwali approaching, people are thronging the markets to buy lighting items, crockery, diyas, paints, furniture, jewellery, sweets, clothes, dry fruits, and decorative items.

At Sarojini Nagar market, which is one of the most crowded ones, more cops have been stationed to regulate crowds during rush hours. "Between 5 pm and 9 pm, shoppers flock to the market. We not only have to regulate the crowds, but also keep an eye on suspicious people roaming around," said an officer.