Patna: Rs 14 lakh realised as fine on Day 2 of weeklong lockdown

PATNA: The weeklong lockdown imposed in Patna on Friday seems to have lesser impact than the nationwide curbs implemented from March to June. Although Covid-19 cases are rising unabated in the state capital, people can be seen roaming unnecessarily on the streets. The movement of autos, buses, trains as well as flights continues and vegetable and fruit markets remain crowded, especially in the evenings.
According to Patna district magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi’s order issued on Wednesday, shops selling essential commodities such as groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat will remain open amid the curbs till July 16.Those, who violate the lockdown norms, will face legal action.
“The officials concerned have been asked to ensure that everyone wears masks and follows social distancing norms,” Kumar Ravi said.
Divisional commissioner Sanjay Kumar Agarwal has also directed the officials to ensure strict deployment of police officers to make the lockdown effective. “They have been told to speed up contact tracing and inform people about the containment zones,” he said.
Sources claimed that altogether 430 people were fined for not following traffic rules and other precautionary measures in the state on Saturday. A sum of Rs 14.5 lakh was collected as penalty from them.
Many city residents pointed out that people were hardly following the lockdown norms. Nahar Khagaul Road resident Manish Kumar (name changed), who had gone to buy fruits and vegetables from the Jagdeopath market on Saturday morning, said, “Hundreds of people thronged the market where most vendors were without masks. The situation is pathetic because such people are the reason behind the sudden rise in the number of corona cases in Patna.”
Kadamkuan resident Uma Shankar Prasad also witnessed a huge crowd on Daldali Road. “Since the shops were shut in the afternoon, a large number of people went out to buy groceries in the evening. There were some who were standing there unnecessarily,” he rued.
Meanwhile, Patna sadar sub-divisional officer Tanay Sultania issued an order on Saturday regarding closure of Mithapur vegetable market for three days as people violated social distancing norms openly.