After the prolonged lull in the market since March this year, the marriage season scheduled from November 15 to December 15 has brought some relief to traders as customers flow has increased in the market for over a week.

The hospitality sector of around 500 hotels, banquets, dharamsala, marriage halls of coal town are fully booked from November 15 to December 15.

The majority of marriages scheduled from April 22 to July first week were cancelled due to lockdown and restriction over the number of participants in marriages during the second wave to pandemic.

The wedding planners including decorators, florists, caterers, photographers, band operators, who faced worst days since the last two years are also expecting to make at least 50% compensation of their losses as the government has allowed participation of 100 persons in outdoor marriage functions etc.

Talking to The Telegraph Online, Anutosh Bagchi, senior general manager of Hotel Skylark the oldest three star hotel of the district said, “We are heavily booked during November December and I hope if everything remains on the expected lines this marriage season will help our sector to sail through the crisis phase rather recover and revive.”

“Room occupancy wise we have already reached a comfortable situation with business guests moving continuously but as banquets are also an important part of our business I hope that marriage season will help to mop up business through banquets also,” said Bagchi.

Pradip Singh, President of Dhanbad Zila Decorator Association said, “We are happy as all decorators, florists, caterers, photographers etc are fully booked as majority of marriages which were cancelled earlier this year between April to July are being held although at a smaller level.”

Singh added that the lagan season will also revive the market as everything right from garments, footwear to jewellery, foodgrains, cosmetics are required in marriages.

Srikant Agarwal, Secretary of Purana Bazar Chamber of Commerce said, “A host of factors including the relaxations provided in the lockdown including the permission for opening of restaurants etc upto 10 pm, permission for participation 100 persons in marriages besides the bumper marriage season and Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath scheduled one after other have started showing activity in the market and it may lead to some revival of business.

“The signs are good for the recovery of business and if the third phase of pandemic doesn’t affect people in large the life will limp back to normalcy after a prolonged period of dull activity propelled by the marriage and festive season,” said Agarwal.