Traders in New Delhi have suffered an estimated loss of ₹3,000 crore in October 2026 owing to repeated protests that disrupted supply chains, shuttered markets, and blocked roads across the capital during the peak Navratri and Diwali festive season, according to the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI). The industry body has warned that losses could cross ₹10,000 crore by Diwali if demonstrations continue at the current pace.

How the Losses Accumulated

CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the first protest, held on 10 October, alone wiped out ₹2,000 crore in business. The subsequent blockade, metro closure, and Central Park shutdown in Central Delhi between 13 and 16 October added a further ₹1,000 crore in losses, bringing the running total to ₹3,000 crore for the month. 'Navratri, Ramleela and Diwali are the only month for us to earn for the whole year. If protests continue every week, the loss will cross ₹10,000 crore by Diwali,' Goyal said.

Retail and Wholesale Trade Bear the Brunt

The retail sector has absorbed the largest share of the damage, with losses estimated at ₹1,800 crore, as footfall collapsed across more than 700 markets during the typically high-revenue festive window. Affected markets include Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Kashmiri Gate, Chawri Bazar, Bhagirath Place, Gandhi Nagar, Naya Bazar, Khari Baoli, Karawal Nagar, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Rai Market, and Connaught Place. Wholesale trade has reportedly lost about ₹600 crore, as an estimated 3 to 4 lakh wholesale buyers from Sonipat, Panipat, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Rajasthan stayed away from Delhi.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Festive Stock Stuck in Warehouses

Beyond direct sales losses, the CTI flagged a broader supply chain breakdown caused by a halt in truck movement. Festival-ready goods are reportedly lying in warehouses, unable to reach retailers. This compounds losses beyond the figures already tallied, particularly for perishable items and time-sensitive festive merchandise. The disruption is especially sharp because October is the single most critical month on Delhi's retail calendar.

Sectoral Breakdown of Losses

According to CTI's assessment, the hospitality and services sector lost an estimated ₹300 crore, while transport, auto-taxi, and tourism operators suffered losses of ₹180 crore. The informal sector — including daily wagers, artisans, and loading workers — absorbed losses of ₹120 crore, highlighting the outsized impact on Delhi's most economically vulnerable workers.

CTI's Demands to the Government

The industry body has called on authorities to impose a complete ban on dharna and protest activity in Central Delhi, New Delhi, and the Lutyens' Zone through Diwali. CTI has also proposed designating dedicated protest zones in outer Delhi localities such as Burari, Rohini, and Dwarka for future demonstrations. On the relief front, CTI has demanded a financial package covering the ₹3,000 crore in losses, along with exemptions from electricity bills, water charges, and GST. The body also urged police not to pressurise shopkeepers into shutting down, but instead provide security to keep markets open. Whether the government acts on these demands before Diwali will determine how much of the festive season can be salvaged for Delhi's trade community.