Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 12: The bustling Chandni Chowk market, known for its vibrant crowds and centuries-old charm, is witnessing an eerie calm following Monday’s blast near the Red Fort that killed nine people and injured at least 20.

Usually drawing around four lakh visitors daily and clocking business worth Rs 450–500 crore, the market now wears a deserted look, with traders reporting a loss of nearly Rs 300–400 crore since the explosion of a Hyundai i20 car close to the area.

BJP MP from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal, told NDTV that while trade has taken a temporary hit, the spirit of local shopkeepers remains strong. “As soon as normalcy returns and traffic resumes, customers will be back. The entire Chandni Chowk market is open, except for two sections temporarily closed for inspection,” he said.

Police restrictions on movement have further deepened the slowdown, with metro and bus services suspended and private vehicles barred from entering the area. “Because of this, retail customers are not coming to the market,” Khandelwal explained.

However, he noted that wholesale traders continue to operate through phone and online orders, particularly during the ongoing wedding season. “Many people have already placed their orders. This is only a temporary impact,” he added.

The 300-year-old marketplace, once a symbol of Delhi’s commercial pulse, now stands as a quiet reminder of the shock and disruption caused by the terror attack.