Virus fear empties out markets

NEW DELHI: With the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) regulating its services from Friday in the wake of the coronavirus spread, and imposing restrictions on passengers, Metro stations, including important interchange stations such as Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Hauz Khas, didn’t see the usual crowd.

“This is the Covid-19 effect,” said Karanjyot Singh, a salesman with an automobile company. Singh, a resident of Malviya Nagar, said, “People are scared, but those like me have no option, as our showroom is open.”

Even during rush hours, there were fewer people. At Rajiv Chowk Metro station, one of the busiest interchange stations, fewer people were moving about on the two platform levels.

“Metro services across the world are also adopting similar measures to control the spread of Covid-19. While the Seoul Metro in South Korea has suspended services partially since February 21, 2020, the Transport For London which operates the London Tube are closing stations and restricting services,” Anuj Dayal, executive director, corporate communication, DMRC, said.

The roads were also relatively empty and the DTC buses had few passengers. The markets, too, wore a deserted look. In the otherwise crowded Connaught Place, there were several shops which were closed. “Only about 20%-30% of business is taking place daily. The losses are increasing by the day. There are only a few people visiting markets as of now,” Atul Bhargava, president, New Delhi Traders Association, said.

It was the same story in other marketplaces. At South Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar market, traders said there were few customers throughout the day.