Unlike previous years, when shops near Red Fort were allowed to operate partially between Aug. 12 and 14, traders this year have been told to shut shops throughout the four-day period.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
Nearly 300 shops located along the 1-km stretch in Chandni Chowk, between Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Red Fort, have been asked to remain shut from August 12 to 15 as part of heightened security measures put in place by the Delhi police ahead of Independence Day.An officer said additional deployment, verification drives and inspections in areas surrounding Red Fort and along the I-Day march route began on July 2 this year, nearly two weeks earlier than the usual date of July 15.Sources said additional curbs are being imposed this year in view of the November 10, 2025 explosion near Red Fort that claimed 13 lives.“Beat officers have already informed traders about the shutdown from August 12 to 15. Patrolling has also been intensified across the market,” the officer said.Unlike previous years, when shops were allowed to operate outside the hours of I-Day rehearsals between August 12 and 14, traders this year have been asked to keep shops closed throughout the four-day period. Establishments in the area have traditionally remained closed on August 15 because of the celebrations at Red Fort.
