‘To check crowding at mandi major challenge’

SO far, around four Covid cases (including OSD Harpreet Walia) have been reported in my constituency.

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I along, with my aides, are trying to handle the situation deftly. Considering the minimum contact of people with outer space, we have issued helpline numbers for residents. Councillors have been looking into demands of residents so that there would not be any shortage of supplies of essentials. Everything has so far been taken care of telephonically and safety kits and sanitisers have been issued to waste collectors.

I have also been in regular touch with councillors to make arrangements for supply of food free of cost for the underprivileged. Only those vegetable vendors who are carrying curfew passes are allowed to enter residential areas.

My team is trying to provide essentials to residents on doorsteps for which we have urged them to dial helpline numbers. Besides, with the help of the police, curfew passes have also been given to parents who approached me for bringing back their children stranded in various states. I am regularly visiting all wards in my constituency and ration was also distributed today in the Kazi Mandi area that accomodates several slum dwellers.

I start the day early with a walk and visit my office for two hours from 9.30 am-11.30 am. The major challenge is to restrain vendors and residents from crowding at Old Sabzi Mandi. The authorities need to work on the ‘odd-even’ formula for managing vendors’ rush at the mandi.

(as told to Ajay Joshi)