Crowds poured in by the hour and the market burst at the seams on Pre-Dhanteras occasion on in New Market on Sunday.
Large number of shoppers thronged New Market to make purchases for Dhanteras – considered an auspicious occasion to buy things like gold, utensils or household goods ahead of Diwali – leading to massive traffic jams at periphery of the market. Long queue of cars led to traffic jam like condition. There is already facility of multi-level parking.
Apart from the Dhanteras shopping, customers are splurging on Diwali-related goods too. However, the strict security measures did not allow shopkeepers to display products outside their shops. Just couple of days, Bhopal Muncipal Corporation (BMC) Anti-encroachment squad had taken action against display products outside the shops in New Market. However, it is ultimately loss of shopkeepers as the customers are left disappointed because the products are not displayed in the open.
New Market businessmen Association president Satish Gangarade said, “There is a heavy rush of shoppers at New Market and everything is systematic because BMC removed encroachment just couple of days ago. BMC action provided much scope and space for public to move in market. They are still monitoring the situation. We expect to witness a huge rush on Dhanteras on Monday.”
Candles, diyas, incense sticks and statues of lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi were in huge demands on Dhanteras, many households perform Laxmi Puja in the evenings. Meanwhile, there were some shopkeepers who admitted that there was rush in the markets but that did not necessarily convert into business.
