Connaught Place protests hit businesses, some days see zero sales: NRAI treasurer

Frequent protests in and around Connaught Place have significantly affected businesses, with some establishments recording zero sales on certain days, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) treasurer Manpreet Singh said on Friday, urging protesters to hold demonstrations away from commercial areas.

His remarks came as the Cockroach Janta Party called for a ‘Tiranga March’ at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday evening.

Singh said the announcement of demonstrations itself discourages people from visiting the popular shopping and dining hub, even when there are no restrictions on movement in the area.

“People are afraid to come here. They do not want to get involved in a protest or find themselves in a difficult situation,” he said, adding that customers tend to avoid CP when they have other options.

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He said the impact was particularly significant during the festive season, when families usually visit the area for shopping, entertainment and dining.

“There is a difference between low sales and zero sales. On several days, sales have been zero,” Singh said, adding that businesses had also suffered during an earlier month-long protest at Jantar Mantar.

He said footfall was relatively normal on Friday morning but expressed apprehension that customers would start leaving or avoid the area as the evening demonstration approached.

Singh urged political parties and protesters to choose alternative venues, including locations designated by the police, instead of holding demonstrations in commercial districts.

“Our only request is that protests should not take place within three to four kilometres of Connaught Place. They should find a place where businesses are not affected,” he said.

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Singh said restaurants were also facing losses as their business was closely linked to shopping and other recreational activities in the area.

People visiting Connaught Place often combine shopping with meals, snacks or coffee at restaurants, while restaurant-goers also explore shops during their visits, he said.

“When shoppers are not coming, they are not coming to restaurants either. It is all interconnected,” he said.

Singh added that businesses in and around CP employed lakhs of people and needed regular sales to meet operational expenses and pay salaries.

He appealed to political parties to ensure that demonstrations did not disrupt commercial activity, particularly during the festive period when businesses depend on increased customer footfall.