The Delhi government’s ambitious “Dilli Bazaar” e-portal, which will go live with 10,000 vendors in December, will enable global shoppers to virtually tour the city’s key markets and shop on other e-commerce platforms, the official statement said.

It said that through Dilli Bazaar, the Arvind Kejriwal government aims to bring Delhi’s market into a cutting-edge digital platform where every Delhi-based trader can showcase and sell their products to the world.

The government will bring over 1 lakh stores in Delhi to the e-portal within six months of its launch and provide them with 24×7 digital storefronts. The statement said that with zero setup costs, products on Dilli Bazaar would be significantly cheaper than those on other e-commerce portals.

Kejriwal chaired a high-level review meeting at the Delhi secretariat to take stock of the project’s progress, the statement said. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission (DDCD) Deputy Chairman Jasmine Shah were also present.

“Delhi’s marketplace will become world-famous in the next few years. ‘Dilli Bazaar’ will open 10,000 stores in Delhi by December 2022. The Delhi government will connect 1 lakh sellers to the portal in the first phase,” the statement quoted Kejriwal’s words. Market associations will verify those shopkeepers, he said.

“An agency will be appointed to oversee all aspects of Dilli Bazaar’s operations. This will be the first time in the country that Delhi’s marketplace will be available on multiple digital platforms,” he said in the statement.

The statement said that the portal would create an open e-marketplace network in Delhi using the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) protocol, which will help move buyers and sellers from closed platforms to a decentralised open network.

It added that the government intends to offer the portal’s products on all e-commerce platforms and provide all electronic payment options for transactions.

Dilli Bazaar will also launch virtual market tours, where customers and tourists can view market streets and stores, simplifying their buying process and itinerary planning, the statement said.

For example, suppose someone from another state or country wants to visit the Chandni Chowk market from their home. In that case, they can browse almost every street and see the shops there selling and buying their favourite items, all while having a unique experience, the statement explained.

“The Delhi government will designate suppliers for this purpose and implement it starting from five markets and then gradually in each market in Delhi,” the statement added.

All store owners will receive a personalised digital storefront on the portal, and all products in their store will be listed on the e-portal, the statement said.

The portal will allow users to search for store owners, marketplaces and products by name. It will also serve as a repository for verified sellers in Delhi, offering a comprehensive catalogue of products.

The vision behind the move is to showcase Delhi’s unique market on a virtual platform, showcase the city’s businesses to global buyers, promote the business establishment, growth and diversification, and provide a trusted and affordable e-commerce platform to traders, it said.