Dilli Haat opposite the INA market has established itself as a must visit destination for alls tourists who visit the city and a hub for those seeking food from different parts of the country under one roof. The idea to have a village like set up where craftsmen can sell their products on a rotation basis has been a hit with shoppers until recently when a number of visitors started complaining about the facilities available at the market and the general upkeep of the haat. The ongoing Dastkari Haat Craft Bazaar at the market with its special emphasis on crafts from Tibet in its 29th edition has brought in a large number of shoppers but at the same time has also exposed certain aspect of the market that needs to be addressed.
Jaya Jaitly, president of the Dastkari Haat Samiti and one of the people instrumental in conceptualising the idea of the market has appealed to the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) as well as the offices of other officials to ensure that the market does not become another example of bad management since a lot of effort was put into starting the concept. “I have appealed to the people at the highest level possible to step in to maintain the market. I have told them that unless we renovate the market, it is better to close it down instead of turning into something different from what it was envisioned to be.”
However, Ms. Jaitly says that she has been extremely happy and a little surprised as well with the response she received after she took up the matter. Within two days many of the issues have already been addressed and the response has been positive, she adds.
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Some of the issues facing the market that were raised are that craftsmen sold stalls at different rates though the sizes of the stall were same, the amount of garbage that was strewn around and the quality of products being offered at the stalls. Many stalls were being run by traders and not craftsmen, she alleged who were terrorising people like gangsters.
On a visit to the market where The Hindu spoke to a number of visitors, most of them complained about the upkeep of the toilets at the market that were not being maintained and that there was no water available. Shagun a visitor to the market said “We buy a ticket to enter the market and spend a few hours eating and shopping here. Basic facilities like a toilet is expected when you are paying money.” The bright side is that the issues are being addressed and Delhi's iconic tourist destination will hopefully continue to charm visitors.