Traders seek reopening of markets, public transport

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 14

A day after the announcement that the government intended to open markets on a rotation basis in the city, traders today sought reopening of all markets and public transport.

“In many states there are far more Covid cases, but they have not stopped business activities. Markets too are open outside, but we have been suffering due to the continuous lockdown. The government should open all marketplaces and public transport too should be allowed to function. Shopkeepers and those associated with the transport sector have been suffering for over a year now. First, we were hit by the lockdown post abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year and then the Covid lockdown this year,” said Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) president Aijaz Shahdhar.

He made the comments a day after Shahid Iqbal Chowdary, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, said the administration would allow reopening of markets on a rotation basis and that there was no need of a lockdown if the people followed the Covid-related standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Shahdhar said the government should focus on improving the health infrastructure instead of shutting down shops. “We cannot remain in a lockdown forever and mere shutting of shops is not going to end the pandemic. The government should instead focus on improving the health infrastructure and ensure implementation of Covid-related standard operating procedures in the marketplaces,” he said.

The lockdown had been reimposed in the city from July 13 after a spike in Covid cases. Earlier, the markets had opened on a rotation basis after 85 days of the Covid lockdown on June 13. The markets had also reopened for three days from July 29 to 30, ahead of Eid.