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Shut for 3 weeks, Daryaganj book market might never reopen

Putting an end to the 80-year-old bazaar would be tragic as the public's only reason to visit the place would be lost

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The market is closed due to security reasons—Representational photo
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The ever-popular Daryaganj's Sunday book market has been closed for three weeks now. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has stated that the decision has been taken due to the three-day ASEAN summit scheduled to be held from January 24- 26. Another reason stated for the sudden halt is the upcoming Republic Day.

Sushil Kumar, owner of the Big Book Bazaar stated, "Daryaganj is specifically known for it's Sunday book market. Putting an end to the 80-year-old bazaar would be tragic as the public's only reason to visit the place would be lost."

According to Mayank, a representative of a bookstore here, the market has been closed due to security reasons and the police are taking strict measures to avoid any crowd assembling. "Our shop was also checked by the police a few days back. They are on constant patrolling duty to ensure the safety of the public," he said.

At another store, Book Affairs, Mayank Jain, the owner informed of not having received any official information regarding the plan on permanently banning the market."It is only for a month and the market has been closed due to safety reasons. It would commence again as it used to starting January 26."

More than 250 book vendors put up their stalls at the Daryaganj book market every Sunday. It has been a legacy of Old Delhi to have a market that sells all kinds of books at throwaway prices. However, it is being speculated that the market might be on the verge of being closed permanently.

Reportedly, the MCD is concerned about the illegal vendors as well as the nuisance created by the hawkers causing traffic hindrances.

"Daryaganj has been my favourite spot to buy books that suits my pocket. Since the market has not been open for weeks, I have been paying almost triple prices to get the same books," said Ishani Saikia, a student of Hansraj College, DU.

Srishti Gupta, who used to live in Chandni Chowk, says,"I have spent my childhood in close proximity of the market and I owe my addiction to books to the same place.

"The rumours that are surfacing lately have been disheartening. It is terrible if we lose this kind of tradition."

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