Palika Bazaar

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Palika Bazaar

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| other_name =

| nickname =

| settlement_type = Neighborhood of Delhi

| image_skyline =

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| pushpin_map = India New Delhi

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Delhi, India

| coordinates =

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = India

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = Delhi

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_name2 =

| subdivision_type3 = Metro

| subdivision_name3 = New Delhi

| established_title =

| established_date =

| founder =

| named_for =

| government_type =

| governing_body =

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes =

| area_rank =

| area_total_km2 =

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m =

| population_total =

| population_as_of =

| population_rank =

| population_density_km2 = auto

| population_demonym =

| population_footnotes =

| demographics_type1 =

| demographics1_title1 =

| demographics1_info1 =

| timezone1 = IST

| utc_offset1 = +5:30

| postal_code_type = PIN

| postal_code =

| registration_plate =

| website =

| footnotes =

| blank3_name_sec1 = Planning agency

| blank3_info_sec1 = NDMC

}}

File:Palika Bazar, Connaught Place, Delhi.jpg]]

Palika Bazaar is an underground market located between the inner and outer circle of Connaught Place, Delhi, India. It is named after Palika Bazaar of Mumbai.{{Cite web |last=SNS |date=2019-04-13 |title=Palika Bazaar in Delhi, India's first air-conditioned underground market, turns 40 |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/business/palika-bazaar-delhi-indias-first-air-conditioned-underground-market-turns-40-1502745174.html |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=The Statesman |language=en}} Palika Bazaar hosts 380 numbered shops selling a diverse range of items; however, the market is dominated by electronic items and clothing. Palika Bazaar was set up in 1979, but since the 1990s it has seen a decline in customers. {{Cite web |date=2021-01-25 |title='Notorious': Another tryst with infamy for Delhi's Palika Bazar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/notorious-another-tryst-with-infamy-for-delhi-s-palika-bazar-101611522444272.html |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

Palika Bazaar is estimated to have some 15,000 people within its confines at any given time and also attracts many foreign tourists. It is known for its reasonably priced items and is a famous tourist attraction. It also has a reputation for a wide availability of illegal products such as stolen goods, fake designer products and unlicensed CDs, software and films. Police conduct regular raids to recover stolen or counterfeit merchandise, but this has failed to put an end to the illegal activity in the market.

It has been listed as a notorious market since 2009 by the USTR for being an underground market with large amounts of counterfeit products including pirated software and media.{{cite web |title=2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy |url=https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/IssueAreas/IP/2021%20Notorious%20Markets%20List.pdf |website=Office of the United States Trade Representative |access-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219010617/https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/IssueAreas/IP/2021%20Notorious%20Markets%20List.pdf |archive-date=February 19, 2022 |date=February 17, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite wikisource|chapter=Section 3|wslink=Special 301 Report/2009|plaintitle=Special 301 Report|last=|first=|year=|publisher=|page=|wspage=|scan=}}{{cite wikisource|chapter=Section 3|wslink=Special 301 Report/2010|plaintitle=Special 301 Report|last=|first=|year=|publisher=|page=|wspage=|scan=}}

Security problems

After the rape of a female shopper by two shopkeepers in April 2007, Delhi Police advised women against entering Palika Bazar alone. Local media reported that female visitors often complain about eveteasing and harassment,{{Cite news

| title = Palika Bazar is swank CP's ugly underbelly

| work = The Times of India

| date = 30 April 2007

| quote= scores of women visiting the market complain about eveteasing and harassment[...] cops advice women not to go inside the bazar even during day time.}} and a lack of proper trial rooms.{{Cite news |date=1 May 2007 |title=Keep your eyes open in trial rooms |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/keep-your-eyes-open-in-trial-rooms/articleshow/1982260.cms |work=The Times of India}}

Regeneration project

As part of a wider effort, the New Delhi Municipal Council is currently working on plans for a major "regeneration of Palika Bazaar", described to be in a state of decay.{{Cite news | title = NMDC to set right Palika "decay" | work = The Times of India | date = December 2006 | quote= With the 2010 Commonwealth Games in mind, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NMDC) is gearing up to give Palika Bazar [...] which is currently in a state of decay, a makeover}}

Gates of Palika Bazaar

Gate no. 1: Main gate. Faces Connaught Place Central Park, with F Block on the right and Palika Underground Parking on the left. Staircase entry.
Gate no. 2: Faces Palika Underground Parking. Handicap ramp entry.
Gate no. 3: Not in use. Faces Palika Underground Parking. Closed to the public.
Gate no. 4: Spiral staircase entry with two doors, one not in use. Door in use faces Parliament Street, Regal Building and Jeevan Bharti building.
Gate no. 5: Spiral staircase entry with two doors. One door faces Janpath, N Block and Jeevan Bharti building, the other faces towards Palika Underground Parking.
Gate no. 6: Staircase entry. Faces N Block and F Block.
Gate no. 7: Handicap ramp entry. Faces F Block.