LOCKDOWN IN BADLAPUR FOR NEXT SEVEN DAYS

BADLAPUR: A day after BJP MLA Kishan Kathore announced a strict lockdown for seven days in Badlapur on a local news channel, the residents here thronged the markets and shops across the city, leading to overcrowding in most parts. People panicked believing the lockdown would deprive them of essentials.

Late on Friday evening, Thane collector, Rajesh Narvekar, permitted a strict lockdown in Badlapur from Saturday 7am to May 15, 7am. “The Badlapur Municipal Council had requested for the strict lockdown, for which directives have been given by the district administration,” he said.

As per the new curbs, only medical and emergency health service will be allowed during this period. Other essential shops like grocery, vegetables, fruits, dairy, poultry will only be allowed to do home delivery.

Earlier in the day, the Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council (KBMC) chief officer Deepak Pujari wrote to the Thane collector seeking permission to impose lockdown. In the letter, Pujari has sought permission to impose a complete lockdown with only medical shops allowed to function.

On Thursday evening, Kathore announced that a strict lockdown would be imposed in the city for a week from Saturday.

Since Friday morning, traffic jams were reported in most parts of the city, the railway station road market area was also crowded with vehicles and people gathering to buy essentials.

“A meeting was held on Thursday with the MLA in which we decided to impose a complete lockdown for one week,” said Pujari.

Attempts to contact Kathore did not evoke any response.

“Messages of strict lockdown on social media caused panic. I decided to stock up essentials,” said Sheetal Gaikwad, a resident of Belavli, Badlapur.