Pune: Timber market resumes operations in Bhavani Peth as number of COVID-19 cases plummet

Maharashtra has been the worst-hit state in the country, as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc in the nation. Various areas in Maharashtra have been following the guidelines and stringent lockdown measures to combat the deadly virus. 

In Pune, along with the other areas, Bhavani Peth ward office has also been following strict and constant measures, rolled out for containment zones, aiding the civic authorities battle with coronavirus infection in the locality. Finally, this has helped the Timber market on Nehru Road, various shops on Shankarsheth Road and Shivaji Road to restart their operations after a 2 month-long lockdown induced by COVID-19.

In the Pune Municipal Corporation limits, Bhavani Peth has been the worst affected civic wards since the infection first spread throughout the city. Among all the 15 wards, Bhavani Peth has recorded one of the highest numbers of COVID-19 positive cases. During May, the number of active cases was as high as 267. However, in the past one month, the ward rose to 10th positive recording around 171 positive cases which is a sign that it has improved in terms of active cases.

TOI quoted the head of Bhavani Peth ward office, Somnath Bankar saying, " Almost the entire ward was sealed during the last two lockdowns due to the continued rise in cases. In the latest revision, however, the administration has been able to open up some area and prime road links, including Timber market, Nehru Road and Shankarsheth Road."

The Timber market is located near Lohiyanagar slums adjacent to the Bhavani Peth temple. The market is situated on Nehru Road and it is known as the largest market for wood and various kinds of fitting items. 

According to the civic officials, all the shops located on the roads were permitted to function except some internal parts of the area along the road were locked.

"We have narrowed down to the localities still reporting positive cases. More areas will be opened up if new cases are not detected," Bankar was further quoted as saying.

Combating the spread of the disease has been a very tough job for the officials as the areas of Bhavani Peth are densely populated.

TOI quoted the local corporator Avinash Bagwe as saying, "People here stay in smaller homes. There are congested lanes and hardly any open spaces. More thrust was on home-to-home visits, setting up of swab collection centres near the localities, mobile dispensaries and rigorous contact tracing."

Rafiq Shaikh who is also a Pune based corporator mentioned of requesting the civic authorities to open up more areas to lessen the difficulties of people especially senior citizens. He said, " Some areas have not reported cases in the last few days or have few active cases. It will come as a huge relief if these areas get some relaxation."

Amid 976 total cases recorded, Bhavani Peth ranks the fourth position among the 15 wards and stands at the 10th position in terms of active cases(171).