Shopper's soul - GK M Block market

Greater Kailash Part I is home to one of the busiest markets in New Delhi, the famous M block market is an elite shopper’s paradise. It is a very affluent, upmarket and an exclusive area of South Delhi. Among the trendiest shops in Delhi, Greater Kailash boasts of housing a large number of these.
Gk is one of South Delhi's most fashionable neighborhoods. M Block has a branch of many of the world's well-known retail and restaurant chains, including a two-level Benetton, , Levis, UCB, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Esprit, L’ Affaire , Mascot Studio, Gorgy, Lords, Chunmum, Miss Jo, Pizza Hut, Subway, Yo China, and so on offering everything from books, home decor to imported crystal and high-end jewelry. But what makes this market universal for shopping is the range & variety one gets in the stores and outside them in small veiled concaves selling cheap costume jewelry, snacks and inexpensive clothing items. The famous golguppa shop sells golguppas in mineral water!! These smaller setups have pretty decent stuff & definitely worth a look. For instance you can get sunglasses from the branded stores for as much as Rs. 20,000 and pretty good cheap knock offs for anywhere around 200 bucks at the outside stall. Young Delhi-ites can be seen strolling the posh area having lunch or spending their hefty allowances.
While Sarojini is great for bargains, Khan Market for the foreigner-type of-mal, M Block has the best of both. Luxury goods, branded clothes, Indian handcrafted paper products, shoes and so on.
M block is a must for those who like high style without the chaos of local markets. The market is especially popular amongst women due to a large number of boutiques and shoe stores that it avidly bolster. Evening brings with it the hip-and-happening and an overtly boisterous crowd. The timings remain from 11 am to 8 pm, Tuesdays being closed.. Also, the association of this market is commendable which could clearly be seen during the unprecedented catastrophe- bomb blasts, where the loss was negligible. The CCTV surveillance cameras are veiled in the security system accentuating the prestige of the area.
Along with the shopping, you can have a quick bite at – Café Coffee Day, Barista or Costa Coffee. With so much choice, there’s not a scintilla of doubt why M block is a hot favourite among the youth, the socialites and also the drivers, who can’t but resist a pan from the famous Prince Paan Shop which has been there for decades.

Greater Kailash Part I is plagued with problems of bad traffic, and often, there is a very huge traffic jam in the market.Though there are ample mini parking lots, all around M block, but one must be prepared to not find a spot if you come in rush hour. Recommended option is a chauffeur driven, whom you can call once you are done. Also, that there is not enough space to roam about freely, the loitering pathways are too narrow for a two way walk.
Inspite of such meager glitches, GK, continues to uphold the luster attached with it, not for the clothes or the accessories but more for unique ‘fashion-parade’ by people who wander around in the market. The M-Block market is unique mainly because it has something for everyone in terms of variety and prices and is a ‘must’ for a shopper’s soul.

Munirka Market- residents' haven

At the confluence of Munirka DDA flats and Munirka village, is located the Munirka market. The market can be easily reached through the road that follows the second main entrance of the DDA flats.

The market has all facilities to cater to the needs of the youngsters, children, housewives and the elderly. It boasts of a considerable number of food vendors, where delicacies like Chholey Bhaturey, Chaat, pav bhaji, momos, etc are available to tickle the taste buds of the young and the elderly alike, at reasonably affordable prices. The Udipi restaurant has been a prime attraction past 25 years with delicious south- Indian being its specialty.
“I open from 5 to 10 pm. There is a huge rush in the evening for momos. Usually people prefer non- veg over veg items. I make great sale here” said one of the momo seller in Munirka.

The market also houses a plethora of coaching institutes, attracting an impressive number of engineering/medical aspirants and school children, especially the renowned Manocha study centre which has been a major crowd puller from far- flung areas.

A large variety of garment stores with coruscating clothes cover a handsome proportion of the market, woolen shops (Punjab Woolens) selling their specialties (Handmade and selective brands) are open throughout the year with minimal prices and reasonably appreciative quality.

The market has shops catering to myriads of household daily needs. The prodigious variety includes, to name a few, an enormous furniture market, grocery stores, electronic appliances showrooms, mobile phone and accessory shops, jewellery shops, optical clinics, boutiques, clothing outlets, stationary shops, cyber cafes, etc.
Amongst the visitors who frequent the market, a substantial number is comprised of housewives and the elderly.

Apart from these, clinics with efficient doctors are overtly spread, well assisted by chemist facility.

However, the infrastructure of the place is not too impressive, with a single, narrow road to the market, which often leads to congestion. To make it worse, the roads are scarred with potholes, which prove to be a nightmare for the residents during the monsoons. Despite complaints by the residents, the authorities have not taken adequate measures to rectify this problem.
Renu Sahai, 46, a resident, was quoted as saying, “the doctor and chemist facility is commendable, but I would have really appreciated if something could be done to improve the condition of the road.”