Public transport back on roads, shops reopen in Srinagar

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 17

Public transport was back on roads after around five months of the Covid-19 lockdown, while shops also reopened in the summer capital on Monday.

Though the government had allowed the reopening of shops on a rotational basis, all marketplaces by and large remained open. Traffic jams, too, returned to the city roads, especially during office hours.

“It is good to see shops open and buses on roads after months. We have suffered immense losses during the past one year. We have already urged shopkeepers and customers to follow the Covid-related safety protocols. We hope there are no more lockdowns now,” Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) president Aijaz Shahdhar said.

Lockdown had been reimposed in the city from July 13 after a spike in Covid cases. Earlier, markets had opened on a rotational basis after 85 days of the Covid-19 lockdown on June 13. Markets had also reopened for three days from July 29 to 30 ahead of Eid that was celebrated on August 1.

Though the Covid-19 positive cases continue to increase, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Chowdary said the relaxation was given due to increase in the number of recoveries. “….Srinagar’s ‘recovered cases’ are more than thrice the ‘active cases’. Satisfying to see people timely reporting for tests. With opening of business & transport pl remember 3 things: RsMasksRsDistancingRsHygiene,” he said in a tweet.

And while the markets witnessed a moderate rush of people, physical distancing norms went for a toss in the buses and Sumos.

“Buses and Sumos had been told to operate with just 50 per cent seating capacity….but, both buses and Sumos were full of passengers. The buses that ply on the city roads have a seating capacity of just 20 persons, while nine passengers can sit in a Sumo. I do not think it will be possible for them to operate with 50 per cent capacity,” said Parvez, a commuter.