Markets in Ghaziabad open to a low footfall

Ghaziabad: Markets in Ghaziabad opened to a lukewarm response on Tuesday. According to the traders, there were a few customers who turned up but hoped that in the coming days business will pick up.
Vipin Goel, a trader in Sanjay Nagar, told TOI that as per the alternate-day scheme initiated by the administration, more than 16 marketplaces, including in Chaupla, Ghanta Ghar, Delhi Gate and Turab Nagar, opened. “There were far less customers. This was probably due to the movement restrictions and also the timing under which we are allowed to open the markets. People even during normal days avoided visiting markets due to the heatwave conditions but we do hope that business will gain momentum in days to come,” Goel added. Rajesh Saini, another shopkeeper from Ghanta Ghar, sounded optimistic. “This was the first day and I think the situation will improve and once again we will see more footfalls in some days.”
Meanwhile, the administration had deployed its personnel to ensure that social distancing norms were followed. “As you can see cops from the area have been deputed to oversee whether social distancing norms are being followed. We saw less movement of people than what was expected,” said an official from the administration.
A few days ago, the administration had identified over 30 marketplaces which were allowed to open on alternate days between 10am to 5pm.