Lights mkts to stay open for extra hours to tackle rush

Kolkata: With Kali Puja and Diwali barely a couple of weeks away, the biggest cluster of wholesale and retail markets for lights in the heart of the city has started to get a steady flow of customers. Several markets and shops in the Ezra Street, Pollock Street, Poddar Court area, Tiretta Market and Bagri market will remain open till 9.30 pm everyday — and also on Sundays — to handle the rush.According to retailers and wholesalers, sales have already picked up. “People have already started purchasing different kinds of lights for Diwali, which is why we have extended our working hours. There are buyers even after 9.30 pm when most shops in the area shut down nowadays. There are customers from the suburbs and districts who purchase in bulk,” said Chandresh Vaghani, owner of A1 Electricals and joint secretary of the association.Several shops inside and outside the markets will remain open on Sundays till Diwali. “Many families come to purchase lights on Sundays as it is a holiday. So why we have decided to keep our shops open even on Sundays. We might start a little late in the morning but will remain open till 9.30 pm,” said Yatharth Agarwal, who has a shop on Ezra Street. Several people prefer shopping for lights from the Ezra Street area as the options are numerous and prices affordable. “Here, one can buy lights ranging from anything between Rs 50 and Rs 5,000 and beyond. Traders also give discounts on bulk purchases. This is the busiest season for the businessmen in this trade. Several other shops like eateries and gift items also benefit from the rush in Ezra Street before Diwali and Kali Puja,” said Sushil Poddar, president of the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations.Encroachments in this pocket has also increased, leading to traffic snarls on Rabindra Sarani and New CIT Road as several people set up shops on the carriageway.

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