Several factors including the substantial decrease in covid cases; reopening of schools and colleges; Holi rush, and the upcoming marriage season have led to an upsurge in market sentiments after a prolonged gap of around two years of the pandemic.

The highest demand at present is being witnessed in the readymade garment sector, followed by books & stationeries, footwear, cosmetics, and puja paraphernalia.

Talking to The Telegraph Online today, Sandeep Mukherjee, spokesperson of Bank More Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a unit of Federation of Dhanbad Zila Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FDZCCI), said, “Yes, indeed the market sentiments have started turning positive and reopening of schools, colleges and markets have contributed in a big way to that positivity.”

“Majority of shoppers have turned to the readymade garment shops purchasing new dresses for the children for Holi but an equal rush is being witnessed on the books and stationery shops which have witnessed the worst days during the last two years,” said Mukherjee but added that the situation is not yet at par with the pre-pandemic period on 2019.

“Several artisans including the tailors who were lying idle since the last two years have started getting work offers due to the revamp of school uniform business as well as some readymade garments,” further said Mukherjee.

Echoing sentiments, Sanjeev Chaurasia, President of Park Market Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “For the first time in the last two years the market is witnessing some footfall and besides the Holi rush the biggest factor affecting the boom is opening of schools, colleges, and universities”

“Though the pandemic has affected the income of everyone, despite the lack of income the market has witnessed some upsurge,” further said Chaurasia and added that after Holi, some rush in FMCG products including, Refrigerators, Air Coolers, and Air Conditioners is likely further improved the market sentiments.

“The readymade garment sector which has witnessed the dull situation for the last two years is now on revival mode due to Holi and schools and colleges reopening”

Amit Shahu, President of Jharia Chamber of Commerce said that as the Dhanbad market is largely dependent on the salaries of the government sector, including Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) besides the institutions like IIT (ISM), BIT Sindri, Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) besides the Corporate like Tata Steel and Maithon Power Limited (MPL), the Covid impact was lesser.