Autos to run on odd-even rule with 2 passengers in Bihar

PATNA: Two days after the Union home ministry issued guidelines for fourth extension of the nationwide lockdown, state transport department issued a notification on Tuesday allowing certain relaxations in public transport in Bihar.
As per the notification, autorickshaws and e-rickshaws will start running from Wednesday on odd-even basis with just two passengers. Cycle rickshaws, on the other hand, will be allowed to carry only one person.
“Autorickshaws and e-rickshaws with odd registration numbers will be allowed to run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and those with even numbers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Apart from driver, only two passengers with masks will be allowed in the autorickshaws and e-rickshaws,” state transport department secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said.
Taxis and app-based cabs will be allowed to run within the district with only two passengers. These vehicles will be allowed to go outside the state only if a pass is issued by the district transport officer. Passengers in all such public transport vehicles will be mandatorily required to wear face masks. The vehicles will also have to be regularly cleaned and sanitised.
Motorcycle taxis will, however, remain prohibited. Also, the existing restrictions will remain in effect in containment zones.
The Patna district administration has also issued different timings for textile and readymade garment shops outside the containment zones. As per the order, the shops have been allowed to remain open only between 11am and 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Patna DM Kumar Ravi has asked the officials concerned to ensure that all instructions are followed. “The earlier orders regarding opening of shops, including those selling essential and non-essential items, will remain in force. These shops can operate from 6am to 6pm. The new timing is for shops which were granted permissions in the fourth phase of lockdown,” he said.
The district administration has also permitted dry cleaners and shops selling furniture, sports items, except for those in the containment zones, to remain open.
Divya Prasad Ambashta, owner of a boutique in Digha, said she was discussing plans with other employees in order to do good business with minimal manpower and reduced working hours. “I am still making plans regarding revenue generation. Seeing the current situation and restrictions, it is not very easy to start the business again and expect a profit. Hence, we have decided to open our shop in the coming week after proper planning,” she said.
Shubham Kumar, owner of a leading textile showroom at Saguna Mor, who will be reopening his showroom on Wednesday, said, “The working days, hours and manpower have decreased, but there’s no respite as far as rent and electricity bills are concerned. Even though we will be opening the showroom only thrice a week with 33% workforce, we are pressed to give the salary to every employee.”