Jammu Bazars claim 50-95 pc sale losses
Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, May 26: The otherwise crowded market of Raghunath Bazar in the heart of Jammu city gives a deserted and gloomy look these days with only a few pedestrians and very less vehicular traffic on the road running through the market and most of the shopkeepers can be seen sitting idle in their outlets waiting for the customers to come and make some purchase.
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The scenario is almost same in all other prominent markets of Jammu including the Apsara Road market, the Residency Road market etc.
“The recent Indo-Pak conflict following Pahalgam terrorist attack is behind the fall in rush at the market as people are still scared and are not spending on luxury items but are only concentrating on essential goods,” said Pooja Kapoor, president of Residency Road Traders Association.
She further said, though there was a two day strike by the Armies on Indo-Pak border and Line of Control (LoC) where heavy shelling took place besides drone attacks at hinterlands but it left a deep impression on public minds and people are still maintaining wait and watch.
“About 50 per cent business in my market has been hit after Pehalgam attack and the retaliatory action and the visitors from Kashmir have now left while they used to be a big chunk of buyers in our market circuit comprising Rajinder Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Residency Road and Raghunath Bazar,” Kapoor maintained adding that it will surely take some time for the business to come back on track.
Anil Kohli, president Apsara Road Market Association said, following April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, business in Jammu fell to its lowest ebb.
“Only 30 per cent work is left in our market and we have suffered 70 per cent losses in sales these days. Many shopkeepers in our market even fail to earn a single penny throughout the day,” he further said.
Kohli also said that intense heat wave these days is further adding to their miseries.
“The market revival is purely a subject to the improvement in security related situation and the prevailing of peace on the borders,” he continued adding if the upcoming annual Amarnath Ji pilgrimage remains proper, the business may improve as most of the business in Jammu depends upon pilgrims.
Sanjay Gupta, president Raghunath Bazar Traders Association said after Pahalgam terrorist attack the inter-State tourists stopped visiting Jammu which in-turn hit their business as most of these tourists remained the visitors at historic Raghunath Ji temple and they mostly shop from the Raghunath Bazar and Hari Market areas owing to proximity of these bazaars to the temple.
“On daily basis, a whopping 95 per cent of the sales has dipped in our market and if the upcoming annual Amarnath pilgrimage goes well, it may prove a boon for us,” he claimed adding: “With recent steps taken by the Government of India like reaching to an understanding with Pakistan regarding peace on borders, the things should go good but it is tough to trust Pakistan.”
Arun Gupta, president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, when contacted said following April 22 incident, about 50 per cent tourists left the Kashmir within minutes and others cancelled their bookings with the hotels and travel companies.
“After May 8, 2025 shelling at border and LoC along with the drone attacks in J&K, the remaining tourists too left the Union Territory and the outside workers working in J&K also did so fearing Jammu to be hit badly in coming days,” he asserted.
Arun Gupta also said that people these days don’t want to spend on items which are non-essential as all are saving money for the perceived tough times ahead.
“The things may improve soon and if situation remains favourable, the Amarnath pilgrimage will be massive,” he continued.
It is pertinent to mention here that on April 22, 2025 terrorists attacked tourists in popular hill station of Pahalgam in Kashmir killing 26 civilians after which Indian Armed Forces launched air strikes on terrorist training centres in Pakistan occupied J&K and Pakistan killing hundred terrorists.
This triggered retaliatory action in form of shelling and firing from Pakistan side in which many people were killed in Poonch and others were injured. Drone and missile attacks were also initiated from both sides of the dividing line further escalating the situation till an understanding was reached between the two sides on May 10 and attacks from both sides came to a halt.
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