New Delhi

Markets open, but crowd missing

Photo Anu Pushkarna

A day after: Only a handful of shoppers were seen at M Block market in Greater Kailash Part 1 on Sunday which witnessed two low-intensity blasts on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: A day after five blasts rocked the Capital, most shops in major marketplaces opened on Sunday. But shoppers preferred to stay indoors.

The M-Block market in Greater Kailash, which witnessed two low-intensity blasts within a span of a few minutes, was the worst affected. Only a handful of curious residents from nearby colonies visited the market in the afternoon to see the twin-blast site.

“On weekends our shop is packed with customers. We usually do business worth Rs. 5,000 by evening, but on Sunday the sale has been very poor. The market is completely deserted. People are scared to come out of their homes after the blasts,” said Pramod, an employee at a grocery shop, located a few metres away from the blast site.

Manmohan Singh, who owns a jewellery shop in the market, said: “It is natural for the people to feel scared and avoid crowded places in the wake of the blasts. But the opening of the market would definitely send a strong message and help in restoring normality.”

The Greater Kailash Market Association president Rajender Sharda said: “We are expecting sale to pick up as people were initially not sure if the market would open. It will also send a message to those behind the blasts that they have failed in their evil designs.”

Gaffar Market, one of the largest electronic goods market in the Capital, also opened a day after the blast, but shoppers chose to stay away. Sharing his concern, Shailesh, a garments shop employee, said: “I have not sold a single piece of garment since the market opened in the afternoon. On normal days, my shop will be teeming with customers. It is difficult to say how long it will continue.”

Even Connaught Place, the most preferred hang-out of Delhiites during weekends, wore a deserted look. Two high-intensity bombs claimed several lives here on Saturday.

“Though most shops in the area remained closed, the Central Park is the most happening place during weekends. But on Sunday all one can see is the heavy presence of police, media vans and handful of onlookers who have come to see the blast site,” said Pawan Bharadwaj, who owns a shop in the area.

The Sarojini Nagar market, which bore the brunt of pre-Diwali blasts in 2005, also recorded a substantial fall in business. “It is one of the most crowded market places of South Delhi during weekends, but the blasts have created a sense of fear among the people. The increased police presence and stepping up of security in the market is also keeping the shoppers away. With the festive season round the corner, business has been badly affected.

The sale has reduced to almost one-fourth,” said Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Association president Ashok Randhawa.

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