Pune: Mission Begin again hits lockdown hurdle in Khed

PUNE: The Khed taluka administration has announced a “complete lockdown” from Sunday to July 12 following the rise in Covid-19 cases, much to the worries of manufacturing units in the Chakan industrial belt and neighbouring areas.
Representatives of the industries said the “sudden lockdown” would hamper operations that had recently started picking pace. The panchayat samiti decided in favour of a complete lockdown following a three-fold rise in the patient load within a week (see graphic).

District collector Naval Kishore Ram said the administration “cannot simply surrender to the numbers”. He said, “We need to control the numbers. We are trying to ensure that the industrial activities do not stop. We will review the situation and take the final decision.”
Federation of Chakan Industry secretary Dilip Batwal said, “It will not be prudent to close industries, as many of them faced financial losses in the past three months. Maximum industries are adhering to the social distancing norms and government guideline.”
Khed sabhapati Ankush Rakshe said, “About 34 cases are from nearly 8-10 major companies in the industrial belt. The short-term lockdown aims at breaking the virus chain.”
The HR head of a company supplying spares to auto industries at Vasuli said, “We have started operations with a lot of difficulties and restrictions. The authorities need to understand the issue before taking any decision on lockdown.”
Another HR head of a tyre manufacturing company in Chakan said, “Many companies are working at less capacity now. The market is unstable. What we need at present is support from the government. A sudden closure will have an adverse impact on companies.”
Khed tehsil medical officer Balasaheb Gadve said, “About 70% of the tehsil are in the green zone. Our aim is to collect maximum swab samples of people coming in contact with the patients. Currently, we collect at least 50 samples a day..”
Chakan Municipal Council chief officer Nilam Patil said, “Shopkeepers and traders are unwilling to open their outlets. We have appraised the administration of the situation.”