To manage traffic, cops want courts, shops shut

The Commonwealth Games are likely to affect commercial and legal activities. To ease traffic movement and to manage traffic, Delhi government has ordered all major markets in Delhi to remain shut at least during the games’ opening and closing days.

The government also wrote to the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court registrar generals asking them to keep the courts shut during the games. This request was turned down. Now, the Delhi Police wants the lower courts to remain closed for three days from October 11.

“Through the chief secretary, we had appealed to the registrar generals of Supreme Court and High Court to announce Dusshera holidays of courts from October 4 instead of October 9. We wanted the courts to be closed during the games as High Court, Supreme Court and Patiala Court are near the games venue. The plea was turned down. The courts will stay shut from October 9 for Dusshera. Now we are asking the authorities to keep the lower courts shut for three days,” said Ajay Chadha, Special Commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police.

Rajeev Khoshma, former president of Delhi Bar Association, said: “They want the lower courts closed only for three days. I think the plea should be granted in national interest.”

Business activities, however, will suffer the most with most markets closed on opening and closing days of the games.

Major markets including Chandni Chowk, Dilli Haat, Janak Puri, Karol Bagh, Khan Market and shopping malls will stay shut on first and last day of the games. Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary, Confederation of All India Traders: “We will suffer losses of nearly Rs 500 crore.”