Nariman Point suffers from Monday blues

Nariman Point, Mumbai's prime business district, was unusually quiet and deserted on Monday.

This south Mumbai area houses important buildings such as the state government headquarters, civic headquarters and Bombay Stock Exchange.

Anticipating trouble, most private organisations asked their employees to stay home on Monday. But Malad resident Dipesh Thakker, a stockbroker, still went to his Fort office.

"But due to lack of staff we couldn’t provide 100 per cent service to our clients," he said.

While government offices, such as Mantralaya, recorded average employee attendance of 35 per cent, at the BMC headquarters 65 per cent employees reported for work, though attendance was compulsory.

"We will try to understand why some people did not come to office and only then take action against them," said Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

Shops and restaurants too downed shutters because there was no business.

"The bandh caused the city losses of Rs 500 crore. But it was supported by parties and shopkeepers fear stone-throwing incidents," said Viren Shah, who heads the Federation of Retail Traders' Welfare Association.