Traffic, safety worries abound as curious crowds throng blast site

The site of the November 10 car explosion near Red Fort is attracting crowds, with both locals and tourists milling around the cordoned-off area on Wednesday and some even finding idle amusement in stepping over the ropes that separate it from Chandni Chowk market.

Altaf, a rickshaw puller near Lajpat Rai market, claimed to be “right there” when the blast happened.

He described running in the opposite direction with the crowd and being saved by the grace of god. “Lekin jo bhi hua bohot galat hua (But what happened was not right),” Mr. Altaf told a rapt audience.

‘Came from Mumbai’

A little ahead at Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib, Oppinder Singh was returning after offering sewa (public service). He had come from Mumbai, drawn by curiosity and concern to see the site himself.

“Delhi is my birthplace, so I had to come to see what was happening. I keep visiting the gurdwara every few years. Incidents like these give a jolt to many who have roots in Delhi. The impact can be felt at the gurdwara as well, with talks of enhancing vigil at the holy site and organising social work to help those affected,” he said.

Around the barricades near Lajpat Rai Market, shopkeepers lingered alongside passers-by out of fascination.

‘Ran for life’

“I ran for my life after hearing the blast. My cousin has a shop near Jama Masjid. I took a long detour to reach his shop and from there we headed home to Adarsh Nagar. My scooter is still parked near the shop, no idea what has happened to it,” said Charanpreet Singh, chatting with fellow shopkeepers.

Two days after the terror incident, the lanes of Chandni Chowk wore an unusually deserted look.

Shopkeepers complained about a sharp drop in sales, a rarity during the peak wedding season.

Yet, amid the worry, many began blaming rickshaws for congestion in the area. “Chandni Chowk is a world-famous shopping site that thousands visit daily. The minute you step out of a shop, a rickshaw blocks your way and the driver hounds you for a ride,” said Sanjeev Jha, owner of a shop selling bags. An e-rickshaw driver, Jumman, lost his life in the blast. Several other rickshaw drivers were among the first responders, rushing the injured to hospitals in their vehicles.

“We can’t speak against those who helped. They were godlike to the people they saved. The concern is the lack of regulation on rickshaws and their movement,” said Raj Karan Tripathi, a shopkeeper.

“Near Netaji Subhash Marg and the Chandni Chowk parking area, the entire road is taken over by rickshaws. One lane for cycles, another for e-rickshaws, another for autorickshaws, where is the space for pedestrians?” said Mr. Charanpreet.

‘Inadequate security’

Beyond traffic woes, shopkeepers expressed frustration over lax security even after the blast. “In decades of working here, I have never seen a police officer stationed near the temple. That post has been vacant for years,” said Sanjay Bhargava, president of the Chandni Chowk traders’ association.

Mr. Bhargava said he has repeatedly sought better policing and traffic regulation. “There are Supreme Court orders to remove encroachments and manage crowds. I have written to senior police officers and local representatives, but all in vain,” he said. The trader added that he now plans to take legal recourse to ensure action is taken.

Meanwhile, police personnel were seen patrolling crowded places in the national capital, including railway stations and bus terminals, throughout the day and making public announcements urging residents to stay vigilant and immediately report suspicious objects or activity.