NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, APRIL 25
Giving social distancing a virtual go-by, people resorted to panic buying by swarming markets in cities including Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai on Saturday to buy vegetables and essential commodities in view of the four day complete shutdown from Sunday.
As people thronged the markets, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami ordered extension of time for shops selling essential commodities and vegetables by two more hours till 3 p.m. on Saturday.
However, there was no dip in the crowds and important roads, and intersections that are usually deserted, be it here or in other cities like Coimbatore teemed with vehicles and people.
Be it Koyambedu, one of the largest markets in Asia for vegetables, fruits and flowers or the cramped ones in locations like Royapuram, or the RS Puram Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers market) at Coimbatore, it was human heads everywhere.
People could be seen jostling for space in markets breaching social distancing norms and only a section of them wearing masks. Every single shop had at least 100 men and women queuing up to buy veggies and other commodities.
Chennai Corporation has made it clear that no shops will be allowed to function even for selling vegetables and fruits and that only push carts and mobile vehicles would be permitted to do so.
Sections of people are apprehensive that the full shutdown may be extended further and this too prompted panic buying in several localities. Even beyond the 3 p.m. deadline, several neighbourhood shops functioned and around 4.30 pm, all the roads and markets were deserted again with only police patrols and corporation
flying squad vehicles doing the rounds. Traders and vegetable dealers said they expected a surge
in crowds today in view of the announcement of complete shutdown, adding they were able to meet the demand.
Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation (Aavin) had announced that it has inked a pact with online food delivery aggregators Zomato and Dunzo to distribute its flagship milk brand ‘Aavin’ and other dairy products, including ghee, directly to consumers in Chennai from its 21 hi-tech parlours effective Friday.
Districts, including Cuddalore announced that the complete lockdown will be followed on Sunday in their respective regions and disinfection tasks shall get priority.
Police and civic authorities meanwhile said tough action will be taken against those flouting the full lockdown norms. Police said they have seized 2,65,756 vehicles and levied a fine of Rs 3.13 crore as on date for violating lockdown norms.
The District Collectors of Chengelpet, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram had separately issued directions for implementing the full lockdown in their respective areas which are close to Greater Chennai Corporation neighbourhoods and falling under the jurisdiction of Chennai police.
