Mumbai: North of city, crowded bus stop, station and markets

Returning migrants say the requirement of RT-PCR test is making their lives difficult, while shopkeepers rue the impending loss in business

Ahead of the new COVID-related curbs that began on Wednesday evening, many people returning to their hometowns crowded the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). Without a negative RT-PCR test though, many met disappointment and were seen near offices of tours and travel operators in the hope of alternatives. Borivli station, too, was crowded.

The Sonawane family was returning to Pune after visiting parents

The Sonawane family of four was returning to Pune, having arrived just a few days ago to meet their parents. “We decided to return before travel gets difficult. But there were no seats available on State Transport (ST) buses, so we’re spending more on private ones,” said Kuldeep Sonawane, who runs a shop in Pune.

Rajarshi Shukla arrived from Pune in the hope of taking a train to Rajasthan and continuing to his hometown, Allahabad in UP from there. “My company was unsure about continuing with all the staff as another lockdown will stop most of their manufacturing wing. We made an early decision this time. I have a negative RT-PCR report but my wife and toddler son haven’t been tested,” Shukla said.

No money for RT-PCR

“People have no money to eat. How does the government expect them to do RT-PCR tests? Government facilities don’t test you without recurring symptoms and private ones cost too much” said Rajesh Devadiga of O P Travels.

Crowded stores

Meanwhile, grocery stores and weekly markets in Dahisar, Borivli and Kandivli saw crowds stocking up. With many non-essential shops shut or deserted, retailers complained of unfair treatment.

Rahul Gupta works at a clothes shop in Borivli

“It is better if I don’t have to venture outside at all after the lockdown begins,” said Rajkumar Gupta, Borivli resident outside a DMart in Dahisar.

“We are sending only 10 customers inside at a time. On average, each person has to wait for 20-30 minutes in the queue,” said Chintan Shah, the manager at the DMart.

Bablu Nigam, who runs a clothes stall at the Poisar weekly market, was relieved that the daytime restrictions begin on Thursday as it allowed for the market to function on Wednesday. “We don’t know when we will get to put up a stall again. We do have customers, people want to buy clothes before heading to their villages,” he said.

But Rahul Gupta at a clothes shop opposite Borivli station said there were hardly any customers. “The government could have allowed us to remain open by allotting specific days or timings. Completely shutting shops hits the owner and workers like me,” he said.

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