KOLKATA: The central business district, which had been lying deserted since the start of the lockdown, witnessed some activity on Tuesday. Many shops selling mobiles, consumer durables and electrical goods upped their shutters on Tuesday morning after the state government allowed opening of such shops outside containment zones.
Areas like Chandni, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Bentinck Street, Waterloo Street, Meredith Street and portions of Central Avenue are not in the containment zone. The shop-owners said they utilised the entire day cleaning up their shops, tallying their stock and checking the electricity. They were expecting customers to trickle in as the week progresses.
“Today, we are cleaning up our showroom. The showroom has been shut for weeks, so extensive cleaning is required,” said a representative of Lalani Infotech on Mission Row, which sells mobile phones, mobile accessories and consumer durables. The employees working inside were wearing masks and gloves.
Owners of Ratan Electric and Refrigeration Company on 26 Ganesh Chandra Avenue said they would be opening their shop everyday henceforth. “We were waiting for the government order. Once people know that shops have reopened, the business is bound to pick up. But many of our mechanics are unable to come to work because of unavailability of transport,” said the owner.
Even tea shops, paan shops and those selling soft drinks reopened on Tuesday. The government has allowed these shops to resume business only if they don’t allow people to assemble and consume at the spot. “The cops came in the morning and said they will force us to shut if they find people lurking around,” said Vinod Shaw, who sells soft drink, candies and beetle leaf on Prafulla Sarkar Street.
Areas like Chandni, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Bentinck Street, Waterloo Street, Meredith Street and portions of Central Avenue are not in the containment zone. The shop-owners said they utilised the entire day cleaning up their shops, tallying their stock and checking the electricity. They were expecting customers to trickle in as the week progresses.
“Today, we are cleaning up our showroom. The showroom has been shut for weeks, so extensive cleaning is required,” said a representative of Lalani Infotech on Mission Row, which sells mobile phones, mobile accessories and consumer durables. The employees working inside were wearing masks and gloves.
Owners of Ratan Electric and Refrigeration Company on 26 Ganesh Chandra Avenue said they would be opening their shop everyday henceforth. “We were waiting for the government order. Once people know that shops have reopened, the business is bound to pick up. But many of our mechanics are unable to come to work because of unavailability of transport,” said the owner.
Even tea shops, paan shops and those selling soft drinks reopened on Tuesday. The government has allowed these shops to resume business only if they don’t allow people to assemble and consume at the spot. “The cops came in the morning and said they will force us to shut if they find people lurking around,” said Vinod Shaw, who sells soft drink, candies and beetle leaf on Prafulla Sarkar Street.
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