The “City Beautiful” and the “Millennium City” both witnessed a tidal wave of shoppers and revellers today as the final weekend before Christmas triggered a massive surge in footfall at major commercial landmarks.
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Sector 17, Chandigarh: The iconic Plaza in Sector 17 was transformed into a sea of people. Families from across the tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula) flocked to the market for winter shopping and to witness the newly installed Christmas light displays. Local traders reported a 40% increase in sales compared to previous weekends, particularly in woollens, electronics, and festive décor. The musical fountain area remained the primary attraction for evening crowds.
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Cyber Hub, Gurugram: In Gurugram, the upscale Cyber Hub saw “House Full” signs at almost every major restaurant and cafe by 7:00 PM. Corporate professionals and families alike gathered to enjoy the live music performances and the elaborate 30-foot Christmas tree installation. Security personnel had a tough time managing the entry points, with wait times for popular dining spots stretching over 90 minutes.
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Traffic & Parking Woes:
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Chandigarh: Multi-level parking lots in Sector 17 were completely filled by noon, leading to illegal parking on pavements and side roads. Traffic police had to divert vehicles toward Sector 22 and Sector 18 to prevent a total gridlock.
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Gurugram: The Cyber City area and the adjacent NH-48 witnessed slow-moving traffic throughout the evening. The internal roads of DLF Phase 2 and 3 saw major snarls as visitors looked for alternative parking spots.
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Security & Vigilance: With the high volume of people, police in both cities deployed additional personnel and “Anti-Sabotage” teams. In Chandigarh, female police officers in plain clothes were stationed to prevent incidents of eve-teasing in crowded zones.
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Business Sentiment: “The energy is incredible this year. After a slow start to the winter, the Christmas rush has finally brought the spark back to the retail sector,” said a member of the Chandigarh Business Council.
