Nehru Place traders protest civic apathy

Nearly 2,000 shops, retailers and offices were shut down at the Nehru Place, on Wednesday, against the alleged apathy of the authorities concerned towards offering a clean, safe and regulated environment to conduct business.

About 10,000 employees from over 1,000 offices at the IT hub extended their support to the protest organised by the Nehru Place Improvement and Welfare Association (NIWA) together with four other associations dealing with Export Fabrics, Computer Hardware, Peripherals and Media distribution.

“We will continue to maintain the reputation of Nehru Place, which contributes Rs 1,000 crore per year to government’s revenue,” Anil K Sehgal, president of NIWA said.

The core committee of the five associations also decided to support the government’s move to check unregulated hawking in order to quickly get off the ‘list of 30 most notorious cities in the world’ as none of its members were engaged in any such activity.

“While, we respect the right of every citizen to earn a living, they must do so within the legal framework”, the association representatives said in a joint statement issued at the end of the peaceful protest.

The traders of Nehru Place, one of biggest computer hardware and peripherals distribution hub in Asia, have also sought support of Lt Governor of Delhi to improve the pathetic conditions faced by the occupants. Nearly 12,500 people engaged in 1,283 businesses and offices in Nehru Place have signed a plea to the Lt. Governor of Delhi to save this burgeoning business hub, especially from encroachment and its fall out.