The deserted roads of Chandni Chowk and other major markets in the adjoining areas remained almost empty after the November 10 blast. The area holds historic importance, having witnessed several crucial decisions in the past that shaped society and contributed to nation-building.
However, after the incident, the absence of local residents, who usually gather and converse around stalls, reflects the gravity of the situation. There were no groups of tourists at the Red Fort, and a heavy silence enveloped the area.
The empty stairs of Jama Masjid have disheartened rickshaw pullers and other vendors who usually depend on the daily crowd for their livelihood. All the markets near Gate Number 2 of Jama Masjid remained closed, while the shops of Meena Bazaar, too, wore a deserted look.
Speaking to Aaj Tak, a shopkeeper said that people have chosen to stay indoors out of fear and are avoiding stepping out. He added that business has taken a severe hit — earlier, his shop would see a footfall of over 100 customers on regular days, but now it has dropped to just four or five.
He recalled that on the fateful day, soon after the blast, customers rushed out of the shop in panic, and the shopkeepers too closed down and left for home. “Chaos erupted in the market, and people were seen running for safety,” he said.
A rickshaw puller shared that due to the reduced number of customers, his daily earnings have fallen drastically-now limited to just Rs 300–400 a day, nearly one-third of what he used to make earlier.
