With caution, NCR is reclaiming its favourite markets in pandemic
The major markets of Delhi-NCR are getting ready for New Year celebrations albeit cautiously
The strangest New Year in recent memory is upon us. The pandemic has left a sour taste in everyone's mouths, and while people may be looking forward to putting 2020 behind them and usher 2021 with a grand party, the still-rising COVID cases and restrictions mean they are cautious with their plans. Usually, the last week of December would see an upswing in people going out for dining or just to hang out at some of the most popular and busiest markets in NCR, but this year, the response is lukewarm. Our visit to some of these spots vindicates that in some places, Delhiites do want to get out of their house and forget about COVID, but in others, they are doing so with some trepidation.
'There may not be many shoppers in CP, but it's still the best market to walk around'
For many who've been visiting Connaught Place for years, the pandemic may have stopped them from coming here for a few months, but it still remains their favourite adda. "My sister was feeling low, and the only way to cheer her up was taking a round of CP. This place has its own charm, which I think hasn't died even during the pandemic,” said Ridhi Dogra, a visitor from Maya Enclave. Though as per some shop owners and street sellers, "the number of shoppers has reduced, but there has been a significant improvement in the number of visitors in CP." One of the sellers at CP told us, "Metro's reopening has played a major role in bringing the visitors back to CP, but we still don't see many people shopping. Business is very less as not many people are preferring to buy stuff from the streets." For visitors in CP, the market is the best for its affordable dine out options. "We can't be home forever, so it is good to come out and just taking a walk here feels good," said Agam Singh, a visitor from Janakpuri.
'This year is ending on a good note for Khan Market'
For one of the most upscale markets in Delhi, known for some iconic bookstores, popular cafes and restaurants, this year is at least ending on a "very good note". Khan Market has been buzzing with visitors, and don't be surprised if even on a week day, you struggle to find parking space. Being an open-air market, this was one of the areas which resumed business in no time in Unlock. Though the news of some restaurants and an iconic bookstore in the market shutting down due to the pandemic was disappointing to many, the silver lining is that business has been steady. "Last two weeks of December have been exceptionally well in terms of visitors. On weekends, there was a lot of rush as well as traffic jams on streets outside the market. Many customers have told us that since they aren’t travelling, this market is the perfect place to hang out. On weekends, there's a two-hour waiting at some restaurants," informed Gurvinder Singh, owner of a gadget store at Khan Market. "Compared to last year, visitors are far less, but people have been visiting," added Vicky Chugh, who owns an electric appliance store in Khan Market.
For visitors, what matters most is that every outlet in the market is following safety norms. "Whenever I go out, I come to Khan Market because I feel comfortable here. I take precautions like wearing a mask etc., and wherever I visit here I've seen that social distancing is followed and everything is sanitised," said Tanushree Goswami, a frequent visitor at Khan Market. "I am here almost every week, and this place has been my favourite after the lockdown as I know it’s pretty safe," added Sachin Chowdhary from Vasant Kunj.
'For how long will we sit at home?,' ask CyberHub visitors
Even though some restaurants at Gurgaon's CyberHub are closed, the popular market and party hub is gradually moving to normalcy. Visitors at the market say they feel confident about dining out now. Shreya, who was visiting the place with her friends for dinner, said, "We can't sit at home permanently. Sometimes we have to step out. If we take all safety precautions, maintain social distancing and wear masks, we should be ok." Given the rising cases, people are a bit cautious though. Some are even making advance trips to markets and restaurants to check the situation. Karol Bagh residents Sanjay and Arun were at CyberHub on Monday evening for a 'recce'. "We came here to see how things are, whether there are proper safety precautions being followed and if there isn't too much crowd. We plan to bring the family for a dinner outing here on New Year, so we came once before to see everything," the two told us.
Sector 29 parties like there's no tomorrow
A visit to the Sector 29 market in Gurgaon will have you transported to the pre-COVID days. Yes, a few outlets have closed and others have muted celebrations, but Gurgaon's party hub is very much active. Most of the places have New Year celebrations planned and partygoers are all for it. South Delhi resident Varun Sharma, who we met exiting a pub late on Monday night, said, "You just have to make sure the venue is following COVID protocols and take all necessary precautions yourself. Beyond that, logon ko toh ghar baithe bhi COVID hua hai. You can't stop your life now. Just have to be cautious." Shivalika, a Gurgaon resident, added, "This place has been our adda for New Year party for years. We will party this year too, probably not on the 31st because it will be too crowded."
We visit malls to get a festive feel: Shoppers
This year, during Christmas, malls across cities witnessed huge crowds, and even for New Year's Eve, people are planning to go out and shop. Aditi Juneja, a shopper at SelectCity Walk, said, "Malls are original 'everything store'. Doesn't matter how many things I buy online, unless I see the decor at malls, it doesn't feel like a festival or a happy occasion. I really missed coming to malls during the lockdown. Earlier, I used to visit malls even to buy a single item, but now I try to visit only four-five times in a month. I have planned to visit on New Year too with friends." Parth Solanki, a shopper at Pacific Mall, said, "Malls are the safest place for outing. If others do not follow protocols, guards point out and hence it is an assurance that it will be safe. Besides, they also have measures to control crowds and people are more disciplined."
With inputs from Niharika Lal
The number of shoppers has reduced, but there has been a significant improvement in the number of visitors in CP
For many who've been visiting Connaught Place for years, the pandemic may have stopped them from coming here for a few months, but it still remains their favourite adda. "My sister was feeling low, and the only way to cheer her up was taking a round of CP. This place has its own charm, which I think hasn't died even during the pandemic,” said Ridhi Dogra, a visitor from Maya Enclave. Though as per some shop owners and street sellers, "the number of shoppers has reduced, but there has been a significant improvement in the number of visitors in CP." One of the sellers at CP told us, "Metro's reopening has played a major role in bringing the visitors back to CP, but we still don't see many people shopping. Business is very less as not many people are preferring to buy stuff from the streets." For visitors in CP, the market is the best for its affordable dine out options. "We can't be home forever, so it is good to come out and just taking a walk here feels good," said Agam Singh, a visitor from Janakpuri.
On weekends, there’s a two-hour waiting at some restaurants in Khan Market
For one of the most upscale markets in Delhi, known for some iconic bookstores, popular cafes and restaurants, this year is at least ending on a "very good note". Khan Market has been buzzing with visitors, and don't be surprised if even on a week day, you struggle to find parking space. Being an open-air market, this was one of the areas which resumed business in no time in Unlock. Though the news of some restaurants and an iconic bookstore in the market shutting down due to the pandemic was disappointing to many, the silver lining is that business has been steady. "Last two weeks of December have been exceptionally well in terms of visitors. On weekends, there was a lot of rush as well as traffic jams on streets outside the market. Many customers have told us that since they aren’t travelling, this market is the perfect place to hang out. On weekends, there's a two-hour waiting at some restaurants," informed Gurvinder Singh, owner of a gadget store at Khan Market. "Compared to last year, visitors are far less, but people have been visiting," added Vicky Chugh, who owns an electric appliance store in Khan Market.
For visitors, what matters most is that every outlet in the market is following safety norms. "Whenever I go out, I come to Khan Market because I feel comfortable here. I take precautions like wearing a mask etc., and wherever I visit here I've seen that social distancing is followed and everything is sanitised," said Tanushree Goswami, a frequent visitor at Khan Market. "I am here almost every week, and this place has been my favourite after the lockdown as I know it’s pretty safe," added Sachin Chowdhary from Vasant Kunj.
Visitors at Gurgaon's CyberHub say they feel confident about dining out now
Even though some restaurants at Gurgaon's CyberHub are closed, the popular market and party hub is gradually moving to normalcy. Visitors at the market say they feel confident about dining out now. Shreya, who was visiting the place with her friends for dinner, said, "We can't sit at home permanently. Sometimes we have to step out. If we take all safety precautions, maintain social distancing and wear masks, we should be ok." Given the rising cases, people are a bit cautious though. Some are even making advance trips to markets and restaurants to check the situation. Karol Bagh residents Sanjay and Arun were at CyberHub on Monday evening for a 'recce'. "We came here to see how things are, whether there are proper safety precautions being followed and if there isn't too much crowd. We plan to bring the family for a dinner outing here on New Year, so we came once before to see everything," the two told us.
A visit to the Sector 29 market in Gurgaon will have you transported to the pre-COVID days
A visit to the Sector 29 market in Gurgaon will have you transported to the pre-COVID days. Yes, a few outlets have closed and others have muted celebrations, but Gurgaon's party hub is very much active. Most of the places have New Year celebrations planned and partygoers are all for it. South Delhi resident Varun Sharma, who we met exiting a pub late on Monday night, said, "You just have to make sure the venue is following COVID protocols and take all necessary precautions yourself. Beyond that, logon ko toh ghar baithe bhi COVID hua hai. You can't stop your life now. Just have to be cautious." Shivalika, a Gurgaon resident, added, "This place has been our adda for New Year party for years. We will party this year too, probably not on the 31st because it will be too crowded."
We visit malls to get a festive feel: Shoppers
This year, during Christmas, malls across cities witnessed huge crowds, and even for New Year's Eve, people are planning to go out and shop. Aditi Juneja, a shopper at SelectCity Walk, said, "Malls are original 'everything store'. Doesn't matter how many things I buy online, unless I see the decor at malls, it doesn't feel like a festival or a happy occasion. I really missed coming to malls during the lockdown. Earlier, I used to visit malls even to buy a single item, but now I try to visit only four-five times in a month. I have planned to visit on New Year too with friends." Parth Solanki, a shopper at Pacific Mall, said, "Malls are the safest place for outing. If others do not follow protocols, guards point out and hence it is an assurance that it will be safe. Besides, they also have measures to control crowds and people are more disciplined."
With inputs from Niharika Lal
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