Bhopal markets to shut on Holi:Old City, New Market and 10 Number areas closed; emergency services to remain operational

Markets across Bhopal will remain closed on the occasion of Holi, with only essential services such as milk booths and medical stores functioning. A day before the festival, shoppers were seen thronging markets on Tuesday to complete their purchases in advance. Major commercial areas, including the Old City, New Market, 10 Number Market, and MP Nagar will observe a complete shutdown. Wholesale grocery market to remain shut Anupam Agrawal, General Secretary of the Bhopal Wholesale Grocery Federation, said grocery supplies are distributed within a 200-kilometre radius from the wholesale market. Due to Holi, the market will remain completely closed on Wednesday, and supplies were dispatched on Tuesday itself to avoid disruption. Markets in Lakherapura, Chowk, Ibrahimganj, Hamidia Road, and Azad Market will also remain shut. However, due to Ramzan, some shops may reopen after 4 pm to facilitate essential purchases. Multiple trade bodies announce closure Former spokesperson of CAT, Vivek Sahu, said various trader associations across the city have collectively decided to observe a complete shutdown on Holi. These include the Bhopal Grocery Traders Federation, Wholesale Rice and Pulses Association, Rajdhani Grocery Traders Association, Flour and Maida Association, Karond Wholesale Grain Market, Wholesale Oil and Sugar Traders Association, Confectionery Traders Association, Azad Market Traders Organization, Bhopal Business Association, Chowk Sarafa Market, Wholesale Readymade Traders Association, Wholesale Cloth Traders Association (Bairagarh), New Market Traders Protection Committee, BHEL Traders Association, Electronic Market Itwara, Old Bhopal Transport Organization, and Ghoda Nikkas Traders Association, among others. Additionally, hotels and restaurants in the city will remain closed until 4 pm on Holi and will resume normal operations thereafter. Emergency services to function in New Market Shops in New Market will remain closed on Holi and Rang Panchami, as per the annual tradition. Ajay Devanani, an office-bearer of the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that markets will remain shut on both occasions this year as well. Wholesale medicine market to remain closed for 2 days The wholesale medicine market will remain closed for two days. Jitendra Dhakad, President of the Bhopal Chemist Association, stated that the entire wholesale drug market will remain shut on March 4 (Holi) and March 8 (Rang Panchami). However, retail chemist shops will remain open, and emergency services will continue uninterrupted. Van Vihar National Park is also closed Van Vihar National Park will remain closed on March 4 and March 8, as announced by the park management. The park was also closed on March 3. Holi will be celebrated on March 4, followed by Rang Panchami on March 8. With widespread closures across commercial hubs, residents have been advised to plan their purchases in advance while relying on emergency services where necessary during the festival period.