Mohali tiptoes to normalcy, but few step out

TNN | May 2, 2020, 07:19 IST

Stationery shops, confectionary stores did not get many shoppers in Mohali on Friday

MOHALI: A wary public preferred to stay indoors on the first day of the curfew relaxation from 7am-11am on Friday.
A few shops were open in the city apart from groceries and chemists. Readymade garments, cycle repair and hardware shops were open in Phases V, VII, X, XI and 3BII.
Deputy commissioner Girish Dayalan Said, “The idea is to give some respite to public and shopkeepers for being under lockdown for 36 days. We were receiving demands for opening shops other than essential items.”
Only two out of 10 shops were open in Phase VII. Similarly, in Phase 3BII, most of the shutters were down and only chemists open.
Residents demanded that the administration should issue a list of electricians as well as AC repair mechanics and plumbers authorised to rectify complaints. The Chandigarh administration had recently issued one such list.
Dalayan said they are thinking on these lines and would soon come out with a list. “We will ask for those interested in getting registered with us to work in houses for maintenance. We will devise a method to screen such repairmen before they start work. Shopkeepers and residents want the Punjab government to revise relaxation timings to 9am to 1pm instead of 7am to 11am. Shopkeepers said it is too early for a customer to reach market for buying items like clothes or getting their mobiles and laptops repaired. Sarabjit Singh, general secretary, Beopar Mandal, Mohali, said, “We welcome the relaxation but the government must review its decision on timings. People will start coming to markets if relaxation time starts from 9am.” Rajat Chawla, a readymade garments shop owner, said, “The timings should be from 9am to 1pm.” Pooja, a resident of Phase V, said, “We have come to buy clothes for my 4-year-old son as we did not buy any clothing for summers. The relaxation time is odd.”