Mumbai: Day 1 of reopening of non-essential shops sees confusion
Active Times For Printing Download Epaper from files section from bottom of this page
On the first day of reopening of non-essential shops in the city, confusion mounted over which shops, with respect to the side of the road, were allowed to open. In several areas like Dadar, Worli, Borivli and Dahisar, shops on both sides were opened. However, they were later forced to shut. The shopkeepers also demanded scrapping of the alternate-day rule by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and demanded flexible timings for the opening of shops, citing the time slot of 7 am to 2 pm as not feasible and that e-commerce websites are benefitting the most. Also, the relaxations also led to traffic snarls, especially along the Sion-Panvel highway, near the Vashi toll naka on Tuesday, which was further complicated by nakabandis conducted by the Mumbai Police at Mankhurd. With Covid-19 cases on a steady decline, the Mumbai civic body had on Monday allowed non-essential shops to function between 7 am to 2 pm on alternate days from Monday to Friday for the next 15 days, even as shops selling essential items are now allowed to remain open all days between 7 am to 2 pm. According to the BMC’s circular, starting the first week, shops on the right side will be allowed open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Shops on the left side will be allowed open on Tuesday and Thursday. This rule will be applicable on a rotational basis and the local wards are expected to issue a list of roads, specifying the left and right sides. However, after the coronavirus-enforced curbs were relaxed from Tuesday, there was a mixed response. The city’s 24 wards started issuing circulars, specifying the left and right sides in all areas, only by afternoon, resulting in confusion on day one.
