How was the first day of Unlock 1.0 in Guwahati?

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Guwahati literally went haywire on Monday with rampant violation of the few restrictions that were kept intact amidst a whole lot of exemptions on the first day of unlock 1.0. The gathering of people in market places in the city is enough an indication that social distancing has been given a thump down in the metropolitan city.

Major roads in Guwahati, including GS Road, GNB Road, VIP etc were teeming with honking cars – two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers – from nose to tail. This was despite the fact that only cabbies, auto-rickshaws, manual rickshaws except e-rickshaws were allowed to operate with only two passengers. This apart, vehicles carrying essential materials and people engaged in essential services were allowed. Private vehicles like two-wheelers and four-wheelers were totally barred, barring medical emergency and people on official duty. However, the roads in the city saw a whole lot of private vehicles that glaringly defied the restrictions.

Talking to this reporter, a Uber driver said, "We need to pay EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) regularly. Since we don't have any income these days, it's a heavy burden for us. We came out today, but response from passengers is not that good."

When asked on precautionary measures which they adopt to prevent corona from spreading, he said, "We carry only two passengers at a time. We do sanitize the vehicle seats and interior as when passengers get alighted."

The shops and business establishments were also not total in adhering to the guidelines issued to them. While only shops located on right sides of road and lanes were allowed to operate on Monday, at some places shops of the left side were also opened. Vendors selling vegetables on footpath was also glaring at some places.

With the administration banning the inter-district movement of individuals from July 22, people and vehicles were seen crowding at Khanapara in the city.

A section of conscious citizens of the city are a worried lot on the situation in Guwahati. They are of the opinions that if the situation in the city becomes so messy on the day one of unlock the situation that may be created as and when the lockdown will be lifted can be surmised at ease.

Also Watch: Teacher of Kardoiguri area of Moran spends his earnings to build bamboo bridge for the village