Chennai: Roads wore a deserted look as the 12-day complete lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, in Chennai and its three neighbouring districts began today.
The lockdown, with strict restrictions, began in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts, where there has been significant increase in positive cases, today and would be in force till 30 June.
After Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswmi announced total lockdown for 12 days, thousands of people, by packing their personal belongings and virtually vacating their houses, left for their native places, by every possible mode of transport available, though public transport and inter-state bus services, suburban EMU trains and Chennai Metro services were banned since the first lockdown that began on 25 March.
The toll plazas on the outksirts, which witnessed heavy traffic flow yesterday, prompting the government to do away with toll charges, wore a deserted look today.
The number of people also left the city by various flights ahead of the intense lockdown. The decision to tighten the lockdown was taken after chairing a meeting with expert medical panel and at a meeting of the State Cabinet on 15 June.
Palaniswami said there would be complete lockdown without any relaxations on Sundays, 21 and 28 June. The total lockdown was in place in all areas coming under the Greater Chennai Police limits, which have emerged as the Covd-19 hotspot, with more than 37,000 cases of the total 52,000-plus cases reported in Tamilnadu, and in the three neighbouring districts.
As the city came under intense lockdown, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam has asked the officials in the four districts to enforce the curbs strictly.
Chennai City Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan said 18,000 police personnel were deployed on duty, while arterial roads like Kamarajar Salai on the Marina beach front and Anna Salai were made out of bounds for public, except for those with valid identity cards.
Viswanathan also warned that those found moving out would be booked under Sec 144 and their vehicles impounded, while asking people to only walk to buy vegetables and groceries from shops located within the two radius.
He said 288 checkposts were set up and camera fitted drones were deployed to effectively implement for strict enforcement of lockdown.
“Drone cameras will be used to monitor the movement of people who roam around or venture out without any reason”, he added.
To alleviate the sufferings of the people in these districts, Palaniswami also announced Rs 1,000 special assistance for all rice ration cardholders, unorganised sector workers with welfare boards and other workers of various welfare boards in the and said the amount would be delivered at their doorsteps from 22 June.
While essential services were maintained, shops selling groceries, vegetable shops and petrol bunks were allowed to function only from 6 am to 2 pm.
The government also imposed a total ban on autos, share auto, taxis and private vehicles, except for medical grounds and for pick up and drop facility at airports and railway stations.
All banks, Central and State government offices functioned with 33 per cent staff strength (earlier 50 per cent) and those residing in containment zones were asked not to attend office by taking prior permission from their concerned authorities.
All tea shops, which were opened ahead of the lockdown 5.0 that began on June one, were closed and hotels and restaurants were allowed only take aways from 6 am to 2 pm, besides online deliveries.
However, there was no ban on movement of vehicles carrying essential items and the present guidelines for arrival of trains, flights and ships continued.
He said those serving aged people, differently-abled and orphanages would be permitted, along with ‘Amma Canteens’, where breakfast, lunch and dinner would be served free till 30 June, and Community kitchens.