₹1,200 for 8 km? How Delhi strike action sparks 300% rise in taxis, WFH scramble, festive weekend business losses | Today’s news
Delhi faces a weekend of traffic disruption and business uncertainty as the Cockroach Janata Party is set to stage a planned ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ protest in central Delhi today. Here’s a look at how the protest-related restrictions are affecting commuters, businesses and festive shopping across the city.
Weekend commute shock
The price of the trip is 8 km ₹1,200 captures the traffic headache Delhi commuters face during the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar.
The increased fares on Ola and Uber are practically close to triple or quadruple the normal fare in parts of South Delhi, Noida and Gurugram. In fact, some drivers are even reluctant to accept journeys into central Delhi, leaving commuters to either pay huge taxi fares or wait.
Read also | CJP protest live updates: CJP says Jantar Mantar protest will continue
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Traffic restrictions around central Delhi and the reluctance of drivers to accept trips to the area have reduced the availability of taxis. The article states that prices in parts of South Delhi, Noida and Gurugram are three to four times the normal levels.
Connaught Place, Palika Market, Janpath, Khan Market and Karol Bagh were expected to close or advised to close due to security concerns and possible disruption. Traders in Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk said their markets will remain open, though individual shops can decide for themselves.
Entry and exit gates at 45 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat and Kashmir Gate, were to remain closed from 9 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday. Exchange facilities were to remain available at affected stations except New Delhi.
Delhi Police has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, allow extra time and plan ahead when heading to airports, railway stations or bus terminals across New Delhi and central Delhi. Traffic restrictions may change depending on the situation.
Some offices around Barakhamba Road and Connaught Place have issued a work-from-home notice for Saturday morning shifts. Delivery operations by Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy have been reported suspended with central PINs 110001 and 110002, which may have caused delays and lost restaurant orders.
For those traveling to work, shopping or to meet up with family on the weekend, traveling across town becomes an expensive affair.
Holiday weekend retail hit
The timing couldn’t be worse for traders. With the festive shopping season gathering pace ahead of Durga Puja and Diwali, the numbers at the markets were expected to be high. However, several prominent markets in Delhi – Connaught Place, Janpath and Khan Market – will remain closed on Saturday, October 10 due to the CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Chandni Chowk markets may also be affected if shoppers avoid the area due to travel uncertainty.
However, the actual impact on sales will depend on how long the restrictions remain in place and how easily customers can access these markets.
Blackout zones for quick trade and food delivery
Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy delivery operations have been reported suspended in central PINs (110001, 110002). That means if delivery partners can’t pass through these zones to enter certain neighborhoods or have to take longer routes, customers could face delays and restaurants could lose orders.
Emergency WFH
Companies with offices around Barakhamba Road and Connaught Place have already issued an emergency ‘Work From Home’ notice for Saturday morning shifts.
Read also | LIVE: All CJP leadership arrested, escorted out of airport back gate by police
The CJP asks participants to remain calm and avoid violence
The CJP, in a statement issued on Saturday, urged participants to remain calm, avoid violence and vandalism, follow legal guidelines and ensure that emergency services are not blocked.
The CJP also urged the participants to remain peaceful, vigilant and united. The demonstration to be held at Jantar Mantar today has been described as an effort to seek accountability for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CJP has called for a massive mobilization despite the Delhi Police refusing permission for the protest.
In a statement, the CJP urged protesters not to engage in physical confrontations, threats or intimidation, regardless of provocation, and warned against damaging public or private property through vandalism, stone-throwing, arson or destroying barricades.
