Corona fears: Residents near Karwar port oppose trucks’ entry

TNN | Apr 7, 2020, 04:25 IST

Residents of Baithkol area, where the Karwar commercial port is located, protest on Monday

Karwar: Residents near the commercial port in Karwar on Monday protested the entry of trucks carrying petroleum and edible oil from other states into their area. Fearing the spread of Covid-19 in their locality, women blocked the entry of trucks and demanded that the drivers undergo medical test.
Police arrived pacified the protesters and asked the petroleum company officials not to allow the entry of truck drivers into the locality.
“Since there is no bar on transporting essential commodities like petrol, we requested the company concerned not to bring in huge number of trucks to the area. We asked them to transport in small quantities. But trucks with registration numbers of Punjab, Delhi and Maharashtra are arriving at Baithkhol area. These trucks pass through the residential areas and we fear that the drivers may spread coronavirus in our locality,” said Vinayak Harikantra, a fishermen leader.
Other fishermen said that the truck drivers prepare food in the area and dine in groups without maintaining social distancing.
Some private companies have storage point of petrol and edible oil at Baithkhol where the port is located. These items are imported and unloaded at Karwar port.