Nagpur: There was usual traffic on roads and violators were spotted across the city on the first day of lockdown-like restrictions on Thursday. The cops mostly remained in their shell and not much checking was done.
The city police, barring a few cavalcades and bike marches at Gittikhadan, Sitabuldi and central Nagpur, mostly stayed off the roads.
Lanes in various localities remained chock-o-block with people moving round without mask. There was crowding at shops and roadside vendors. There was rush in lanes of Mominpura, Bhaldarpura and surrounding areas.
Though markets and shops at Itwari, Ramdaspeth and Sitabuldi remained closed, this didn’t discourage wanderers from visiting the places.
City police could penalize only 67 persons for not wearing mask, 52 for failing to comply with Covid distancing norms and fined 57 vehicle riders.
City police chief Amitesh Kumar said he would review the situation and look into the issue.
According to hotelier Tejinder Singh Renu, he did not feel any difference on the road with police not checking violators on vehicles. “If police don’t pull up their socks and take strict action, there would be no proper enforcement of this extended restriction,” he said.
RTI activist Abhay Kolarkar said police were spotted visiting buildings, apartments and work sites to create awareness but they could not control crowd on the roads. “With so many relaxations and offices opened, it’s not easy to control the crowd. We need a lockdown like that was imposed last year,” he said.
On the other hand, the nuisance detection squad of Nagpur Municipal Corporation carried out patrolling in markets in all the 10 zones of the city and penalized traders and individuals found violating the Covid-19 norms.
The civic cops took action against ready-made garment shops, saree shops, beauty parlours etc that remained open despite order to remain shut. “In all we took action against 15 establishments and recovered Rs1.45 lakh fine from the violators,” said NDS commandant Veersen Tambe.
The NDS team penalized four garments stores and saree centres in Gandhibagh zone. The team also found a steel unit functioning in the industrial area under Lakadganj zone.
The squad penalized a hardware shop near Mankapur Square and an automobile shop near Jaripatka police station under Mangalwari zone.
The team found many traders clandestinely running their outlets. Many electrical equipment shops had displayed air-coolers and were seen negotiating with customers.
On Zingabai Takli Road, many non-essential shop had kept grocery items to evade action, as per the squad.