Kolkata CBD business down during busy season | Kolkata News

KOLKATA: The month-long protests and marches against the RG Kar crime and the resulting traffic disruptions have hit trade and commerce in the central business district hard, with several market committees and trader bodies saying that several It has reported losses reaching billions of dollars. Traders said Durga Puja is just over a month away, which is usually a booming period, but this time the situation was different.
Last week, TOI reported that business losses of over Rs 2,000 crore were incurred in Kolkata in two days when the Chhatra Samaj organized a Nabanna march on August 27 and the Bharatiya Janata Party convened a Bangla Bandh the next day. was reported. Losses in the CBD alone, which has hundreds of wholesale and retail markets, amount to Rs 600 crore.
Central Kolkata, including College Street, BB Ganguly Street, MG Road, Central Avenue, Lalbazar, Murali, SN Banerjee Road and Esplanade, are march routes and demonstration venues and traffic has been halted. Some traders pointed out that the protests coincided with the busiest period for business in Bengal ahead of the puja.
During a visit to a market in central Kolkata, TOI found it unusually deserted. Fresh stock is arriving at Burabazaar, the city's wholesale and retail hub, but there are few customers. Traders said traders in the district who visit Burah Bazar to buy goods in bulk have not done so in view of the protests.
According to the Chamber of Textile Trade and Industry, the clothing sector is one of the most affected. “I have been doing business in Burrabazar for 40 years. I have never seen business so low near a puja,” said Nandalal Modi, owner of Amar Saris on Karakar Road.
According to Bangiya Swarna Shilpi Samiti, sales in the jewelery industry have fallen by more than 35%. Traders pointed out that traffic on BB Ganguly Street in College Street was paralyzed due to the rally. Nandan Dhar, vice president of Bangiya Swarna Shilpi Samiti, said, “Due to the chaos and being a Bhadra month, sales have fallen by almost 40 per cent.” “Many of our customers call us to check if there are any protests or roadblocks in their neighbourhood,” said Uma Prasad Chakraborty of Dattaguinea Museum.
Even though the new market is crowded with customers before the puja, business is sluggish. “Now, we have started opening till late to accommodate the rush of customers. This year, there are hardly any buyers even during the day,” said clothing store owner Subhankar Dey.

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