New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- Festive optimism across India's key commercial hubs has dissolved into widespread operational crisis as ongoing political demonstrations, transit shutdowns, and heavy security barricading choke core retail districts and cloud kitchen networks during the year's peak business quarter.

From the high-street retail hubs of New Delhi to financial centres like Mumbai, business owners report devastating drops in footfall ahead of major festivals like Diwali and Navratri, as well as the upcoming wedding season.

Frustrated by mounting financial strain, merchant bodies have now escalated their grievances to federal ministries, city administrators, and the judiciary, demanding compensation and strict limits on central urban de...