If you want to experience the true cultural fabric of India, Dilli Haat has always been the perfect spot. But the one in Pitampura, North-West Delhi, is in shambles. Modelled on the lines of the popular Dilli Haat at INA, the place has witnessed a massive decline in sale and footfall over the past two years.
Despite being located in a prime and a strategic area with ample parking space and a Metro station in the vicinity, it has not been promoted as an ideal cultural hub so far.
The local artisans and vendors claim there are no substantial promotional campaigns, festivals, NGO activities, food kiosks, exhibitions or cultural programmes to attract visitors. The major problems observed here has been scarcity of product range with inadequate and high price brackets, dismal quality of food in the few stalls that are operational, and lack of proper seating arrangement and shaded areas. No wonder the stakeholders have many tales of woe to narrate.
Craftsmen are sent for a stipulated time period by State Governments after which other artisans are given the opportunity. However, the contract can be extended as per the government’s discretion.
Konij Pir, a craftsman from Kolkata with her group was sent by the State Government. She was initially enthusiastic about coming to Delhi, but the earnings have left her distraught. “I just managed to earn about Rs.9,000 in a month, that too during the festival season,” she complained.
Muhammad Ansari, a sari maker from Mau district near Gazipur in Uttar Pradesh, too, had come with immense hope. “We want our work to be promoted through banners outside since these are all handmade and takes months.”
Some, however, managed to cover their expense during weekends, when the footfalls are higher. As Muhammad Tanzeel, a wood craftsman, said: “The crowd comes in during the weekend. So, I cover my expenses. Sale is decent but I think promotion could have helped me much more.”
Another incentive which the craftsmen get is the provision of rent-free dormitories.
A Delhi Tourism official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, blamed the torrid weather for playing the spoiler. He is expecting the government to allocate more shops to craftsmen and artisans to have a higher occupancy. He also said he had high hopes from the upcoming events — Sharbat Mela and Teej Festival.
Food vendors in the meantime, attributed the problem to the lack of coordination between the Central Government and State Government and lack of significant promotion of the place.
Pawan Pandey, owner of The Swaad and a corporate caterer, expressed his annoyance. “We are not even able to earn Rs.500 in a day and our monthly expenses are around Rs.30,000 to Rs.35,000. The Haat should be promoted heavily in other public places by Delhi Tourism.”
While welcoming the move to privatise the place, he said they are yet to accrue the profits from the move.
Those running the outlets also rued the rise in the rent and pointed out how of the 20 food stalls, only three to four remain open.
A food vendor, while not revealing his identity, questioned: “Who will come here in the scorching heat when there are no craft stalls and food kiosks?” He further added that some of the shops are being used as warehouses.
