Dhabas, small eateries feel the heat as sales plummet | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Dhabas, small eateries feel the heat as sales plummet

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Nov 16, 2016 01:32 AM IST

Dhabas and small eateries in the city are among the worst hit by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, with sales in some of Delhi’s most popular joints also plummeting by more than 50%.

Dhabas and small eateries in the city are among the worst hit by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, with sales in some of Delhi’s most popular joints also plummeting by more than 50%.

The food shacks in Chandni Chowk and Nizammuddin, where cheap yet tasty delicacies are available, have been witnessing minimal footfall.(Handout)
The food shacks in Chandni Chowk and Nizammuddin, where cheap yet tasty delicacies are available, have been witnessing minimal footfall.(Handout)

Anil Mehta, who owns an eatery at Shankar Market in Connaught Place, said sales have halved in his shop well known for its rajma chawal and chole bhature.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“As a result, we are buying groceries and food material in much lesser quantities these days. Sales are minimal as people either don’t have money or are busy standing in queues in front of banks and ATMs,” Mehta said.

The food shacks in Chandni Chowk and Nizammuddin, where cheap yet tasty delicacies are available, have also been witnessing minimal footfall.

Mohammad Noor, who operates a makeshift stall selling kebabs at Nizammuddin, has put up a ‘No Credit’ sign in front of his cart.

“People are coming and asking for food on credit. Paise nahin hain udhaar kaha se de (How do we give them credit when we don’t have money ourselves)… I don’t even have enough money to buy meat for my kebabs. The meat seller will consider my situation one day. The next day he will also ask for money,” Noor said.

Over the past four-five days, Noor’s income has come down from Rs 3,000 daily to Rs 1,000-1,500.

“People are so hassled after standing in front of banks and ATMs all day. Still many are not getting cash. Things are getting difficult,” he added.

Outside Moolchand Metro station, Rambilas Pandit, 45, runs a small litti chokha joint.

The Bihar native these days barely manages to make Rs 500-600 as compared to Rs 1,000 or more tha he made daily before the Modi government’s move to scrap the larger currency notes kicked in.

“For making sales of Rs 500, I have to buy groceries worth Rs 300-400. How can my family survive with so little profit?” Pandit asked.

At one corner of Bhogal, a usually crowded Birbal Dhaba was nearly empty on Tuesday afternoon. The owner, who wished not to be named, said cashflow had completely dried up after the ban by the Modi government.

“How will people pay if they eat? So they have stopped eating out or ordering food only,” he said.

Some, however, are evolving to survive. Manvinder Singh, who runs a Chinese eatery in Jungpura Extension, claimed that he has been forced to register with an online payment portal. “When people know they don’t have to pay with cash, they start ordering again,” he said.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Ritam Halder has been a journalist for nearly a decade and has worked in multiple roles across organisations. He has been a features writer, a digital journalist as well as a desk hand. He now covers environment, water and urban issues in Delhi.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On