With just two days to go for Eid-ul-Fitr, markets across the Valley, including summer capital Srinagar, wore a festive look today as people came out in large numbers for shopping.
The business hub Lal Chowk, Goni Khan and Maharaja Bazar witnessed heavy rush of people buying essential items for the Eid which is scheduled to be celebrated on July 6 or 7 depending on the appearance of the crescent as Muslims follow the lunar calendar.
Bakeries, confectioneries, toy shops witnessed a heavy rush of customers as the locals started preparing for the two-day Eid festival, which marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramazan.
Though it was Sunday, which is usually a holiday, the markets were open and the outlets selling clothes, perfumes and footwear saw a brisk sales from early in the morning.
The heavy rush of buyers brought smiles on the faces of the business community for whom the occasion carries a hope of good earning.
“This time, the sales were very good as compared to last year when people were still busy with the grief of floods. We keep on waiting for this occasion the whole year,” said Shabir Ahmad, a shopkeeper who sells readymade garments.
Though the government has banned the local vendors for putting their stalls on the roads, they were allowed to work today given the occasion of Eid.
Learning from the experience of previous years, the traffic department officials said they will bar the entry of excess passenger vehicles into the commercial hub of Lal Chowk from tomorrow which leads to traffic jams.
“The traffic shall be allowed to ply on Residency Road from Radio Kashmir to Hari Singh High Street only on requirement basis. We will issue the advisory for commuters tomorrow,” said SP Traffic Maqsud-uz-Zaman.
He said the restrictions would remain in force till Tuesday or Wednesday depending upon the day on which Eid falls.
Heavy rush in markets as Eid nears
