Around 100 temporary rapid Covid testing centres have come up on national and state highways in Bengal to check if drivers and passengers entering the state are carriers of the pathogen.

Sources said the initiative was taken after chief minister Mamata Banerjee, at an administrative meeting in West Midnapore’s Jhargram on October 7, flagged this concern.

“A large number of trucks from Jharkhand, Chennai and other states entered (Bengal) via Jhargram. The virus is being carried by those trucks and it is the reason behind hike in Covid cases here…. As cases are rising in Jhargram, take precautions before Puja,” Mamata had asked officials.

Though Mamata referred only to Jhargram, the health department asked all districts to set up test centres at strategic entry points. Most highway testing centres are in districts that share borders with Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha.

“Hundreds of trucks from Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Odisha can’t enter Calcutta during Durga Puja days because of traffic curbs. Trucks wait at roadside dhabas or hotels. All districts have been asked to set up testing centres near popular dhabas or hotels,” a state health department official said.

A health department official said reports were handed over in under 90 minutes.

Sources said a few districts like Birbhum and Purulia had started the testing centres and some such as East Burdwan would start them from Thursday. In Birbhum, 12 roadside testing centres have been opened and six are working.

In Purulia, that shares a long border with Jharkhand, 11 testing units have come up.

Officials said most trucks from Jharkhand or other states reach Calcutta via the Durgapur Experessway. Hence, six rapid testing centres would run on the stretch from Thursday.

Pranab Roy, chief medical officer in East Burdwan, also said testing centres would run from Thursday and those found positive would be sent to safe homes.

In Birbhum’s Bolpur, two Durga Puja pandals have been selected for rapid antigen tests as many visitors from outside the state visit them.

“We have selected a club where rapid antigen tests would be carried out for those coming to see the puja of Baro Bari in Surul village. Another testing unit has opened at Sonajhuri where many from Calcutta come to see the puja. The testing will start from Friday,” said a district official.