Venue: Pragati Maidan, delhi
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IITF 2019 all you need to know
It’s that time of the year. The 39th India International Trade Fair is knocking at the door and we are getting enquires in connection with the nearest metro station to IITF 2019; how to book stalls at Trade Fair 2019 or what to buy at Trade Fair. Excited by this interest, we thought of making this post based on our experiences of earlier Trade Fairs.
Top reasons to visit IITF 2019
What could be the top reasons to visit Trade fair 2019? For the uninitiated, IITF is a platform for new innovations, agriculture products, handloom and weaving, art and handicrafts along with a host of options for food, cultural performances and entertainment. In short, if you want to buy something or even do a recce, this is the place. The event is happening at its regular venue Pragati Maidan albeit in a smaller area. As you may be aware, Pragati Maidan is undergoing extensive repairs and most of the area is in the occupancy of cranes and bulldozers.
Dates for Trade Fair
The dates for IITF 2019 are already out – 14-27 November, 2019. 14 – 18 November is for business visitors while 19 – 27 November is for general visitors.
Timings for IITF 2019
The timings for Trade Fair are 9.30 am to 7.30 pm. Please note that entry is allowed till 5.30 pm only,
Nearest metro station for Pragati Maidan
What is the route from Gurgaon to Trade Fair or Noida to Trade Fair? Well one drive or call for a radio taxi. But the most fuss free as well as Eco-friendly mode of transport would be the metro. The nearest metro station for IITF 2019 is Pragati Maidan on the Blue Line of Delhi Metro. It is a few minutes from Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.
Parking for Trade Fair 2019
Parking for Pragati Maidan is at Bhairon Marg. This is a bit of distance from the IITF venue and could be a problem if you have shopped.
Entry tickets for Trade Fair
Where to buy tickets for Trade Fair 2019? Tickets are available at select Metro Stations apart from Pragati Maidan Metro Station. Do note that Trade Fair tickets are not available at the venue. Also, advance booking of tickets have been discontinued so you will have to purchase tickets on the day of your visit.
Online tickets for IITF 2019
Online tickets for Trade Fair are generally sold on Bookmyshow.
Things to buy at Trade Fair 2019
Starting from army equipment to furniture glass to clothes, packaged as well as cooked food items, household gadgets , Trade Fair has it all and sometimes at amazing discounts. Many visitors carry trolley carts and suitcases to bring home their booty and these luggage get filled very soon. The only items that we have not seen a lot at Trade Fair are books. And that is probably because the government organises two standalone book fairs every year – Delhi Book Fair and International Book Fair.
Handicraft at Trade Fair
Trade Fair is one event that fuses craft and trade and they carry a quality collection of handicrafts and handloom in the state stalls, Khadi and Saras pavilions. We vouch the best variety of pan Indian crafts are available here at most reasonable prices. The fair is a lovely resource for traditional Indian wear for men – women – children. Plus given that it is a government initiative, the Geographical Indication (GI) is mentioned on many such items.
International Stalls at Trade Fair
A host of foreign countries set up stalls and love the kilims from Afghanistan, gem stones from Sri Lanka, tribal dolls from Ghana and knick knacks from Thailand. Dhakai Jamdani sarees brought by traders from Bangladesh and Pakistani suit pieces are a huge hit with women. If you want to add some international brightness to your homes, Turkish lamp is just the thing.
Trade Fair 2019 Partner Country
The partner country at IITF 2019 is Afghanistan. The partner country would traditionally get a standalone pavilion while other foreign participants would share pavilions. However, given that most parts of Pragati Maidan is out of bounds, we do not know the space sharing would be implemented this year.
Food court at Trade Fair
Trade Fair is like a picnic and many visitors use this opportunity to try regional cuisine. State wise food stalls as well as general food stalls are set up at various areas in the fair. These stalls offer regular naan, chhole – bhature, sandwiches and beverages as well as exotic dishes like Chhena Poda from Odisha, Anarsa from Bihar, egg and soya rice cakes from Mizoram or sticky rice pudding from Manipur.
Live Performances at Trade Fair
Live folk as well as classical performances are an integral art of Trade Fair. Such performances were traditionally held at the Hansadhwani Theatre. We recall watching an upscale fashion show here as well. After renovation work started at Trade Fair, a makeshift theatre is erected for the performances. The performances are mostly held in the evenings and are of great quality.
Looks like a busy and interesting trade fair. I always love strolling by the different boots at events like these. I bet the food is going to be good too.
Food is decent. It s the variety that is mind boggling.
The Trade Fair is an annual excursion for my family. Thank you for the detailed post.
Sadly I am not in Delhi on the said dates, but I have always loved to visit the trade fair, esp the handicrafts section.
This event is grand and attracts lot of crowd, I have many of my friends who wait around the year for trade fare, however I have still not gone inside the premises as I am unsure how will i survive the crowd. Some time may be.
I love to make and buy handicrafts… They are so amazing… This looks like the perfect opportunity for me to shop some amazing handicrafts! Thank you for sharing!
When I was a kid, I used to get really excited about the fair. Every year I used to visit it with my parents. Maybe I should visit it this year with my kid
Hope you did!
I visit trade fair every year to grab some good dry fruits and other food items. The quality of the items is so good. I am visiting this year too
That’s great. I’d love to be a part of something like this. Is it the same as Fair Trade? Or is that something different?
It is the Trade Fair alright!
I never miss trade fair and specially international and home living stalls and always shop from there and love to visit in this month.
Ditto ditto ditto..we went twice!
The list is so enticing! Thank you for such a detailed write-up. I wish such events made way to Mumbai more often!
We in Delhi NCR are blessed on this