A tragic fire that engulfed a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on June 3, claiming 21 lives, has not only disrupted the hospitality sector but also inflicted severe damage on numerous small businesses reliant on guests staying in local hotels and guest houses.
Businesses at a Standstill
Several eateries, laundries, grocery shops, and travel service providers in the Hauz Rani area have reported a near halt in operations since authorities sealed or vacated multiple hotels and guest houses following the blaze.
Abdul Wasim, a dhaba owner, stated that most of his customers were patients and attendants staying in nearby hotels. "Our dhaba was already closed during Eid last month, and we opened for barely one or two days. Now it has remained shut for three days, and we don't know how many more days it will stay closed," he lamented. "Many customers used to come from nearby guest houses for breakfast and dinner. Some of my workers are worried about their wages, and a few have already left for their villages."
Rakesh Kumar, who runs a laundry service in the area, said the closure of hotels has virtually wiped out his business. "Nearly 80 per cent of our work comes from hotels and guest houses. We wash bedsheets, towels, and guests' clothes every day. Since the fire, there is hardly any work. We may suffer losses of around Rs 1 lakh if the situation continues for another few weeks," he explained.
Mohammad Arif, owner of a convenience store, noted a sharp drop in sales as many guests have left the locality. "Usually, there is movement throughout the day. People buy water bottles, snacks, medicines, and daily-use items. Since Wednesday, the area has been unusually quiet. Our sales have fallen by more than half," he said.
Subdued Neighbourhood
The usually bustling neighbourhood appeared subdued, with fewer people on the streets and minimal commercial activity. Sanjay Gupta, who operates a food corner near the hotel cluster, said several businesses in the lane survive because of the steady flow of patients visiting nearby hospitals. "Many attendants stay here for weeks during treatment. They eat at our shops every day. Now many hotels have been vacated, and customers have disappeared overnight. We are staring at losses of nearly Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh this month as our food items, mostly used for cooking non-vegetarian dishes, are spoiling," he said.
The Hauz Rani area, located close to Max Hospital, has emerged over the years as a hub for budget hotels and guest houses catering to patients and attendants from across India and abroad. Following the fire, authorities have initiated inspections and enforcement actions against several establishments, further impacting business activity across the neighbourhood.
Broader Economic Impact
The fire has highlighted the vulnerability of small businesses that depend on the hospitality sector. Many entrepreneurs in the area are now facing uncertainty, with some considering temporary closure or relocation. The loss of income is particularly acute for daily-wage workers, who have been left without work. Local community leaders are calling for government support to help these businesses recover.
As investigations into the fire continue, the immediate focus remains on ensuring safety compliance in hotels and guest houses. However, for the small businesses of Hauz Rani, the road to recovery appears long and uncertain.
