Shops roll up shutters, but customers missing

Nagpur: Shut for nearly 75 days, several markets in the city opened on the second day of Mission Begin Again on Saturday but witnessed almost zero business, partially because of the pandemic fear still looming large over people and largely because of confusion over the odd-even formula of reopening of shops mooted by the state government.
Many shopkeepers complained of fewer footfall because of the confusion about the new formula of opening shops. They say when they themselves do not have much idea about the new formula, how will they convey it to their customers. Moreover, how will customers know which shop will open on which day, they say.
Shopkeepers urged the NMC to reconsider the odd-even formula for shop reopening. “We will not get response unless customers are well-informed about the new arrangement,” said shopkeepers from Kelibagh Road, Mahal.
On Saturday, the NMC teams from all 10 zones were seen making rounds to ensure strict adherence of the odd-even formula. Many shopkeepers like Hussan Noorallah Ajani, who owns a chain of footwear shops in the city, is making use of social media to inform his customers about opening of his shops on odd-even days.
Nag Vidarbha Chambers of Commerce (NVCC) president Ashvin Mehadia told TOI that it would erect almost 300 hoardings across the city to create awareness about the odd-even formula and precautions to be taken by both shopkeepers and customers. The NVCC is a parent body of traders across the city and Vidarbha.
“As shopkeepers are aware of their responsibilities like maintaining Covid distancing, using mask etc, we will appeal to the state government and the NMC to open all markets on regular basis from June 15,” said the NVCC president. From Friday onwards, an NVCC team was making rounds of all commercial areas and meeting shopkeepers to educate the importance of Covid distancing, using masks, disinfecting their shops etc.
While popular markets like Sitabuldi main road, Itwari, Mahal, wore a deserted look, traders in markets like Sakkardara, Nandanwan were seen cleaning their shops. Central Avenue traders said the odd-even rule cannot be effectively implemented in the market and they are still figuring out the modalities.
“Will the customer visit a store keeping the shop number and odd-even date in mind?” asked Sameer Phale, a garment shopkeeper from Sakkardara.
The shopkeepers also complained that customer inflow was minimal. “The situation is bad. It was not good earlier as well but coronavirus and lockdown have dealt a severe blow to everyone. People are buying only essential items these days. Clothes will be the last item on their mind,” said Naresh Harde, a garment shopkeeper from north Nagpur.
There are many shop situated on only one side of the road like in front of a hotel in Sadar area, near Raj Bhavan, Kachipura. “These shops are not even numbered in a way that the NMC can implement the new formula,” Mehadia said.
Meanwhile, the NMC’s nuisance detection squad on Saturday penalized many citizens for not wearing masks and also imposed a fine of Rs1,000 each on a couple of citizens for spitting.