Thane collector warns of total lockdown in district

Manoj Badgeri & Shrutika Sukhi | TNN | Updated: Apr 8, 2020, 07:04 IST

Residents of gated complexes in Kalwa chose to buy online

THANE: Collector Rajesh Narevkar on Tuesday warned residents that if they continued to flout the lockdown here, the administration would be forced to seal the entire Thane district and quarantine those loitering on streets. This followed violation of lockdown in Kalwa and Mumbra on Tuesday.
Residents of many gated complexes in Kalwa ordered supplies online, but those in low-income localities rushed to the nearest fair price shops and queued up for daily rations. "We do not have resources to purchase rations in bulk and have to rely on daily purchases," said a resident outside a fair price shop at Atkoneshwar Nagar in Kalwa (E).
As police and civic authorities made the rounds of the suburbs throughout the day, they were apparently unable to control the residents on streets, unmindful of the orders. "Many shops operated and allowed customers through back doors. Vendors were doing brisk business at Kalwa market. Residents also were roaming, throwing caution to the wind. We have been warning them to stay home, but it's of no use," said Milind Patil, NCP corporator from Kalwa.
Assurances of getting essentials at home were hollow as many Kalwa traders said deliveries will be only three days later. "We called for vegetables. The vendor confirmed the civic body told him to deliver stuff to residents who requested it. But he claimed on Tuesday that he was told to shut his shop for three days and not step out for deliveries. Luckily, we had some items at home," said Rakesh Chavan from Manisha Nagar. Several residents walked along railway tracks to avoid detection by police.
Deputy civic chief Manish Joshi said they had done their best to enforce the lockdown and have been seizing stuff of vendors still operating.