BHOPAL: The rush to the markets continued to swell unabated and, if it continues, it seems that a third wave of corona cannot be stopped and the government will have to face the brunt of such an occurrence very soon.
The administration attributed the rush to congested roads which are only of 10 ft breadth in the Old City. But it is also true that the people, too, looked careless. They tossed all Covid protocols to the windsómaintaining social distancing and hand hygiene and wearing masks.
Such places as Ibrahimpura, Lakherapura, Budhwara, Jumerati and Goddha Nakkas are the main markets in the Old City, where thok kirana markets are operated. But there is no control by any monitoring agency on the rush. If this continues, a third wave cannot be stopped.
On the first day, the crowds were much more controlled and police teams were deployed at many sensitive points, but, on the second day of unlock, the rush was heavy and there was no monitoring agency constituted or assigned to keep a close vigil on the markets. No policeman was seen in the markets to control the crowds swelling all around. This shows the carelessness on the part of both the public, as well as the administration. Although chowkis have been formed at many points in the Old City, hardly any policeman was seen during the rush hours.
This time, weíre more alert
"There may be an overall rush in the markets, but at individual shops, we maintained strict Covid protocols. Weíve instructed the traders to follow all Covid norms and guidelinesómaintaining social distancing and wearing masks. This time around, weíre more alert in this regard. The rush may also be because of unlock after 50 days; people who were staying locked up in their homes have now moved out in the markets." -Anupam Agrawal, general secretary, Thok Bazaar Vyapari Mandal
We're keeping a close vigil
"The roads are of 10ft breadth, so, even 10 people moving on the roads gives the impression that thereís a heavy rush in the markets. Weíre keep a close vigil on the crowds, so that thereís no untoward rush in the markets." -Devendra Chaudhary , tehsildar, Jahangirabad
