Annual India International Trade Fair opens; 1.4 m visitors to throng Pragati Maidan

NEW DELHI: The annual India International Trade Fair (IITF) opened yesterday, with products from all over the world on exhibition and sale to 1.4 million visitors expected to throng Pragati Maidan.

The IITF, inaugurated by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will be thrown open to the general public from November 19 till its conclusion on November 27. The first five days are reserved for the business visitors, according to India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

Though the organisers and the city policy are encouraging visitors to avoid personal vehicles and use the Delhi Metro, daily office-goers and other commuters would bear the brunt.

“Traffic congestion is expected on the days of the fair at Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Ring Road, Shershah Road and Purana Quilla Road,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg said. He said various traffic restrictions have been put in place for the two-week event.

For regulating the visitors, there will be no entry for the fair after 4 PM on week-ends and after 6 PM on weekdays.

The police which has made elaborate security arrangements,including close-circut TVs,expects one lakh visitors every day. The ITPO officials are projecting a total footfall of 1.4 million during the event.

Inaugurating the fair, the Finance Minister said while the Indian exports have performed well this year, “If the Eurozone crisis prolongs, growth in exports will be impacted”.

Over 6,000 exhibitors from India and overseas countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, China will showcase their products.

Diverse handicrafts from all across the country will add to the theme of this year’s fair ‘Indian Handicrafts-the magic of the gifted hands’.