Industry to operate during lockdown

Tribune News Service

Solan, May 9

The industry in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) zone and other clusters like Parwanoo and Chambaghat will remain functional during a weeklong lockdown beginning tomorrow.

The foot movement of workers, including those who commute from various bordering areas, will, however, be restricted. They will move half an hour prior to their shift timings. They will have to carry their identity cards showing shift timings. Industrial vehicles will be permitted to ferry them though all other private vehicles, except for medical and other emergencies, have been prohibited by the District Magistrate (DM).

KC Chaman, DM, said industries had been permitted to operate by adhering to all SOPs. Besides, the essential commodity shops would remain open from 8 am to 11 am till May 17 while work on key road projects like national highway projects, where labourers reside at the site, had been permitted. Eateries along the highways would also be open.

The office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nalagarh, was flooded with request for e-passes for the BBN area. “As many as 712 requests for e-passes have been received for Nalagarh and 400 for Baddi since morning. This is in addition to the industrial workforce visiting the area on a daily basis,” said SDM Mahinder Pal.

Additional arrangements have been made by the administration for the movement of 50,000 workers on a daily basis. “In a bid to facilitate the staff, 50 home guards have been provided to the police department to ensure the adherence of SOPs.

A call centre has also been set up under the supervision of the Principal of Industrial Training Centre, Nalagarh, to help and guide residents for information pertaining to e-pass, home delivery and marriage permission. A public address system is also being used to create awareness in the residents.

There are about 2,000 industrial units in BBN and about 50,000 workforce commute on a daily basis from nearby states.