New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- Business activity in Connaught Place was hit on Friday as an internet shutdown imposed around Jantar Mantar amid an ongoing protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar disrupted digital payment services, leaving customers and shopkeepers struggling to complete
UPI transactions.
The Connaught Place market remained open, contrary to reports suggesting that it had been shut. However, the internet disruption, coupled with traffic restrictions and heightened security in the area, affected business at several establishments, with shopkeepers reporting a drop in sales of more than 50 per cent as customers struggled to make digital payments.
"Our sales have reduced to less than half today because of the internet shutdown. Customers are finding it difficult to make digital payments, which has severely affected business," a snack vendor in Connaught Place said.
The vendor said the disruption had compounded the difficulties faced by small businesses. "We would have kept our shop closed today. There is hardly any business, and on top of that, we have to deal with this heat," he said.
Shopkeepers were also trying to find ways to continue accepting digital payments. An owner of a mobile accessories shop said they were using mobile hotspots provided by others in an attempt to process UPI transactions.
"We are trying to do business by using someone else's hotspot and hoping their internet connection will work for the payments," he said.
Several vendors, however, had no option but to switch to cash. A snack shop owner said the outlet was accepting only cash on Friday as the internet disruption had made digital transactions difficult.
"We are only accepting cash payments for today," the shop owner said.
Internet disruption hit UPI-dependent traders, affecting sales at outlets as the protest continued around Jantar Mantar, raising concerns over revenue.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.