Markets were crowded and roads were chock-a-block with people and cars in Ranchi through the day on Saturday as a 37-hour lockdown came into force from 5pm for the second consecutive weekend across Jharkhand as a part of the government’s efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Police had a touch time through the day as several commercial areas reported jams and crowds despite occassional downpours. At Albert Ekka Chowk, on Main Road in the heart of the city, traffic jams prevailed till noon as people drove out of their houses to stock essentials for Sunday.
The total lockdown will be lifted at 6am on Monday (June 21). The current phase of the partial lockdown (health safety week) is on till June 24 after which the state government is expected to announce further relaxations in the wake of a fall in the number of Covid cases and fatalities.
Dhruba Mukherjee, a resident of Lalpur, who was waiting at Sarjana Chowk intersection in his car, said he had ventured out to buy mutton. “It is a must for lunch every Sunday. Last week, we couldn’t get it owing to the lockdown. Hence, this time, I bought it in advance,” he remarked.
Another commuter in Lalpur was out to buy vegetables and fruits. “Usually, we get these things on Sundays. But with the planned closure, we had to do our purchases today (Saturday),” he said while struggling to park his car. “Because of the downpour, I had to drive to the market,” he remarked.
Ranchi district administration has appealed to people to stay indoors during the lockdown and warned of stringent action in case of violations. A district administration communiqué added that as per the government’s orders, only petrol pumps, milk parlours and medicine shops will remain open during the weekend lockdown.
Senior SP S. K. Jha said police would set up check-points and continue with patrolling like the last week. “Across the city, about 93 check-points were set up the last time during the weekend lockdown. This time too we will be similarly strict to prevent unnecessary movement by people,” he said.
