Delhi's Nehru Place shuts down to protest 'civic apathy'

Fed up by what they see as 'civic apathy' to offering a clean, safe and regulated environment to conduct business, nearly 2,000 shops, retailers and offices shut down one of Asia's biggest IT mart, Nehru Place, on Wednesday.

The bustling shopping market in south Delhi wore a deserted look as the Presidents of 5, Nehru Place associations jointly asserted their right to a safer, cleaner and regulated work environment.

Led by Nehru Place Improvement and Welfare Association (NIWA) President Anil K Sehgal, the presidents of the four associations dealing with export fabrics, computer hardware, peripherals and media distribution made fervent pleas to the civic and administrative authorities to improve amenities at the complex.

"We shall continue to ask for the pride of place that Nehru Place had come to deserve as a commercial hub adding Rs. 1000 crore annually to the government revenues," asserted Sehgal.

The working group of the 'Nehru Place Bachao' will continue to bring up issues with various bodies till they are completely resolved both in letter and spirit.

"Business and trading community from city's busiest commercial hub, Nehru Place will continue its Nehru Place Bachao' campaign kicked off as a peaceful protest here today", a statement from the group added.

The core committee decided to support a move by the government to check unregulated hawking so as 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," added the joint statement issued at the end of the peaceful protest attended by several thousand people.

Nehru Place, one of Asia's biggest computer hardware and peripherals distribution hub, has of late been facing deteriorating civic amenities, the group said.

This prompted the Core committee to seek the support of the Lt. Governor of Delhi to ameliorate pathetic conditions being faced by Nehru Place occupants.

"Nehru Place, designed to be one of the modern complexes by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in 1970s, has over the years regressed into one of the filthiest markets in the national capital, especially during rains," NIWA said.

Nearly 12,500 people engaged in 1283 businesses and offices in Nehru Place who have signed a plea to the Lt. Governor of Delhi to save this burgeoning business hub, stayed away from work and participated in the peaceful protest.

The core committee of 5 associations that addressed several thousand occupants under' Nehru Place Bachao' campaign sought authorities to provide and improve facilities due to the genuine occupants of Nehru Place shops and offices in keeping with the changing times.