JAIPUR: Long queues of vehicles were seen at Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat borders following Rajasthan government’s April 4 order allowing commuters who produce a negative RT-PCR report at least 72 hours old, in the state.
The district administrations of Alwar, Bharatpur and Dungarpur have set up checkpoints at the border checking the test reports, which has come as a surprise for many commuters travelling in public and private transport. The sudden move is creating a confrontational situation between the commuters and the police in these places.
Dungarpur administration said that they have allowed 350 persons and asked 1,200 persons to return at Ratanpur checkpost for not having a test report till 2pm.
“Our teams have swung into action and are checking the test reports at the border. Unfortunately, those who are not able to produce the test report are being requested to return,” said Sudhir Joshi, SP Dungarpur. The highway is an important route that connects the state with south Indian states.
The administration is also alert due to the aggravated situation in Maharashtra. The reports of movement of migrant labourers from there to native states including Rajasthan has put the Dungarpur district authorities on high alert.
By afternoon, a team of nursing staff was also deployed at the border for random sampling and checking the temperature, which has been made compulsory for all entering the state.
Similar situation prevails at the Delhi-Haryana border at Shahjahanpur. The traffic has been running at snail pace since last evening with heavy jams at the checkpoints at the border.
Ram Moorthy Joshy, SP Bhiwadi said that they are turning away 85 commuters coming from Delhi and Haryana for not being able to present the RT-PCR negative report. “I appeal to everyone entering Rajasthan to bring test results else you should be responsible for the inconvenience caused to you.
In any condition, we will not allow anyone without the negative report,” said Joshy.
Since the checkpoints came up last evening, a Sunday, it led to hundreds of vehicles from Delhi being stuck in the traffic for hours. The goods transport vehicles are exempted from checking, which is being misused by some commuters using it.
The Alwar administration has clarified that they will start booking people under the epidemic act to prevent people from entering without following rules.
Bharatpur, which is an entry point for commuters from several districts in Uttar Pradesh, has put up similar checkpoints since late Sunday evening.
Devendra Kumar Bishnoi, SP Bharatpur told TOI that they have provided its force for ensuring all protocols to be followed in view of the latest situation.
The local police in the bordering areas are also keeping a vigil on the interiors to ensure that those heading via short routes shouldn’t enter without producing the test report.