Thousands flee Hyd fearing a lockdown
HYDERABAD: Thousands of people from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, who live in Hyderabad, have left the city for their homes since the Telangana government indicated it could re-enforce a complete lockdown amid growing Covid-19 cases. This has prompted the Andhra government to make entry into the state conditional and forced many without travel passes to return to Hyderabad.
Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday announced the state cabinet would meet in three or four days to discuss a suggestion from the health department and medical experts to reimpose lockdown in the limits of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation for at least 15 days. Hyderabad has reported 11,080 cases since June 1 that has taken the city’s tally to 12,696 til June 30.
Traffic jams were reported from Hyderabad-vijayawada national highway and near interstate borders as people began rushing back to Andhra Pradesh. Many migrant workers, who had returned to Hyderabad after the national lockdown restrictions were eased, were also rushing back to their native villages.
Akella Gnani (27), a sanitisation contractor, said, “I have not registered my name in Spandana as I decided on my travel in the last moment, after coming to know that the Telangana government might impose lockdown again. But at the check post, after being caught in the traffic for two hours, I was not allowed to enter AP as I had no travel pass. So, I had to return. I will apply for the travel pass tonight.”
Andhra Pradesh police chief Gautam Sawang said the state has powers to decide on the interstate transport.
“Since people are coming from Hyderabad, which has reported growing Covid-19 cases, we are taking precautions in allowing them into the state.”
An official release from the chief minster’s office said if the lockdown is imposed in Hyderabad and surroundings, it would be implemented strictly.
“Even flights and train services have to be stopped. A decision will be taken at the cabinet meeting,” the official release said.