Vijayawada: No impact of lockdown, many loiter on roads

Vijayawada: The impact of lockdown announced by both the State and Central government to prevent spread of coronavirus was not visible in Vijayawada on Monday as many people across the city and suburbs were seen freely moving on the roads. The city police faced a challenging task of convincing people to stay indoors and not to come out on roads. Unfortunately, people were in no mood to listen and co-operate with the police. If the same attitude continues, the people of city have to pay heavy price for their negligence.

Police erected barricades on all important roads and junctions in the city in the backdrop of shut down announced by the State and Union government. But, a large number of people particularly the youth ignored the lock down and freely moving on roads. Due to closure of educational institutions across the State, thousands of youth on motor bikes and other vehicles roaming on the roads testing the patience of police personnel, who maintained restraint till noon.

Since afternoon, the scenario changed and the police acted tough and categorically told the people that roaming on the roads will not be allowed at any cost. Hundreds of police including circle inspectors and sub-inspectors swung into action and warned the people to stay home or face the punishment.

The decision yielded results as the people stopped coming out of homes since evening. In the morning, thousands of people thronged Rythu Bazaars across the city to purchase vegetables and other essential commodities and fruits. By afternoon, most of the stocks ran out and people fear that the supply of veggies and fruits to the city will come down in the coming days in view of the complete lock down announced by the governments. Due to absence of public transportation, including the APSRTC and auto rikshaws, there was no traffic on roads. But, mostly two-wheelers were visible across the city and on the outskirts.