Dilli Haats across the city is the exuberant spot for every Delhite. It has been over a week since Dilli Haats have been reopened after lockdown. However, the vendors and artists are yet to come back from their respective towns and villages, footfall at Delhi Haat, INA remained low. People who visited these favorite spots, they remained disappointed as they couldn’t eat or shop according to their interests.
Despite the current scenario, Delhi Tourist Officials are hopeful for a better scene. Adding to this, they said that it will take many months for the situation to be normal as pre-COVID times.
Stores and eateries closed, Visitors returned from the entrance
While many people go for shopping their favorite accessories, a major chunk wishes to eat lip-smacking street foods, especially momos. But, due to the nonavailability of vendors, they turned around from the gate.
Megan Kohli, a visitor asserted, ‘When I stepped in Dilli Haat INA, It felt like I entered Janakpuri’s Dilli Haat because the place was not I usually see. We know that footfall was low but was unaware of negligible vendors on the streets. All the stores were closed, so we left immediately.
Another visitor informed that no accessory store was open and she wanted it for a family function. She was quite disappointed and went back.
Vendor, yet to return from hometowns
At Dilli Haat INA, only three stores have open full-fledged. Under this, two stores are of Tribes India, an affiliation of Ministry of Tribes Affairs and Purbashree Emporium, under Northeastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation.
Delhi Tourist Official informed that the vendors are currently in their hometowns. Some have restrictions, while some have partially lockdown in their locality.
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25 artists displayed an interest in putting up the stalls
Delhi Tourist Authority informed that they will have clarity regarding the vendors after 17 th July. An official said the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts ( under Ministry of textiles) have gained around 25 requests of vendors nationwide, to put a stall in Dilli Haat INA.
Before COVID spread in the country, the requests were many more in number. There were around 400 applications in the DC office. Out of which, only 166 selected in the initial 15 days and the next 166 in the remaining 15 days.
Out of these 25 pleas, the number of people who will actually show up for the stalls is a matter of concern.
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There are no entry fees for the first 15 days after Dilli Haat INA has reopened. However many visitors said that even if they don’t charge any entry fees, but without vendors, the shoppers will not come.