Festive Dining in Crisis: How Pollution is Strangling Restaurants in Delhi | Delhi News – Times of India

The rising AQI has badly impacted the dining-out business.

NEW DELHI: The much-awaited onset of the festive season, usually the busiest time of the year for restaurants, is leaving a sour taste in the mouth and the reason is pollution. A restaurateur rued that the live singer he had booked for the weekend performed to an empty terrace. The show was sold out, but only a handful of diners turned up. Even they preferred to sit indoors.
The rising AQI has badly impacted the dining-out business. Restaurateur Priyank Sukhija said the industry was hoping for a good post-Diwali turnout. But with wedding dates coinciding with high pollution forecasts, he saw no respite for restaurants and bars, especially those with large outdoor seating. “You can’t blame diners for not stepping out. We are losing business for no fault of ours,” he sighed.
Sandeep Goyle, Delhi chapter head of National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), also observed how no one wanted to sit outside while visiting a restaurant. Varun Khera, Noida chapter head of NRAI, said the festive season has started on a dull note for the restaurant industry because most outlets with alfresco diners reported low sales. Khera said while weekends still saw some turnout, Monday was very slow with many places reporting almost no-shows.
A few new projects expected to start this week have been pushed to later launches. A restaurateur said he was hoping to open his terrace bar on Friday but has put it off for two weeks. He wonders how he will cover the losses arising from the rising pollution in the city. Restaurant staff and delivery riders are also reporting itchy eyes, headaches and flu symptoms due to prolonged exposure to the air.
Goumtesh Singh, Gurgaon chapter head of NRAI, said that while diners were avoiding leaving their houses due to the haze and with work from home recommended under GRAP IV, the footfall at eateries in corporate hubs would be adversely impacted. He said the industry is feeling the heat with very few families or professionals willing to take on the toxic air. Most restaurateurs TOI spoke to are bracing for a slow week ahead. Some have cancelled live music performances or special food or drinks promotions for the next few days apprehending low turnouts.