Known as Asia’s largest wholesale market, Sadar Bazaar, located in the heritage part of the national Capital cries for attention ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The Bazaar that accommodates more than 15,000 shops and 82 small markets lacks major basic and infrastructure facilities such as safety, parking, proper roads and pathways, toilets, drinking water ATMs etc..

The traders lament that the Government and the leaders treat Chandini Chowk and Sadar Bazar very differently. Redevelopment schemes are always prepared for the Chandini Chowk but not for this market even the traders have written numbers of letters to the civic authorities but nothing has been done.

“PM Modi speaks big about ‘Digital India’ but his Government has so far done nothing to improve the network connection in the market area and Sadar is the only bazaar with thousands of shops do not have the facility for online billing as here there is no mobile network,” said Paramijit Singh Pamma, president of Sadar Bazar Barri Market Traders Association (SBBMTA). 

“The other issues in the area are broken and narrow lanes and clogged streets, scattered wires clearly visible in every block are inviting untoward incidents to happen any time. But the political leaders never ever come to solve the issues here,” said the traders.

The daily footfall of Sadar Market is about 50 to 70 thousand people but during a visit The Pioneer found that infrastructure facilities, especially road and traffic issues need to be addressed urgently. Can anyone imagine that Asia’s largest market does not have a single public toilet for women.

“We elected both Congress and BJP thinking that they will do any redevelopment or reformation of this market but none paid attention to our requests. Presently, this is election season but no leader has come to meet the people inside the main market they rally and meet on the outer sides because here there is no vote. Large percent of traders here are resides in different parts and constituency of city such as Kirti Nagar, Rajouri Garden and others. Thus, no vote no attention,” rued the traders from Matka wali agali, Barri market, Gubbare wali gali and Lalu mishra market. 

Besides, the basic amenities and infrastructure development, the traders stressed that, “Sealing, Good and Services Tax (GST) and Demonetisation has risked the lives of small traders.”

Mahendra Singh, who owns an antique shops at Matke wali Gali says, that “We pay taxes but even after that what the Government have done for the traders. Traders cannot even carry more 50,000 if they do then they will be questioned and tortured by the police.”

Apart from parking, traffic congestion, snatching, pick-pocketing and robbery is also an issue in this area. For 15,000 shops, there are only about eight police who come twice in a day, said the traders.

While a trader Mohammad Zakir from Chandini Chwok rued about the never ending re-development projects of Chandini Chowk. “After demonetisation, GST, the never ending redevelopment of walled city is another issue. The Government starts the work and then it gets stalled citing any reason every time due to which the traders had to face the problem. Besides, infrastructure, parking, opens sewage, traffic congestion is major issue here,” he said.

Jawed Ahmad from Jama Masjid said, “We want equality from the Government. Respect us equally as the others do not divide. Further, safety, security and improvement of infrastructure is needed here.”

The Chandini Chowk constituency is comprised of 10 Assembly segments i.e, Adarsh Nagar, Shalimar Bagh, Shakur Basti, Tri Nagar, Wazirpur, Model Town, Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Matia Mahal and Ballimaran. This Parliamentary seat have a total number of 15,62,268 registered voters among which traders, baniya’s (business community) and Muslim votes will hold the key.

Further when asked about the triangular fight this time by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP and Congress, the traders said, “At least AAP have helped traders by allotting and improving the condition of electricity connectivity here. Before,” said Pamma.

BJP MP Harsh Vardhan is contesting again from Chandni Chowk seat and is pitted against Congress veteran JP Agarwal, who represented the seat in 1984, 1989 and 1996 and AAP’s Pankaj Gupta who is making his electoral debut. The elections in the national Capital will hold on May 12.