Pune: Amid possibility of complete lockdown in Maharashtra, people in Pune were seen queueing up outside grocery stores to stock up their household goods.
Panic-stricken people in Pune fearing a complete lockdown in coming days have started hoarding groceries. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday informed that a cabinet meeting was due on Wednesday where Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray may declare the period of the lockdown and the date when it will enforce.
Most shops in the Pune, were shut on Saturday-Sunday due to weekend lockdown. These shops reopened on Monday amid a rush of people, who stocked up on groceries for the next few days, fearing complete lockdown. Many customers were ready to wait even for an hour to get the delivery.
Abhijeet Jadhav, who was also one of them said, "The state government is failing to handle the grim situation. For vaccination my father and mother were asked to wait in the line, for Remdevisir vials we had to stand in queue. Now, even at grocery shop, there are long queues. This reminds me of the last year’s situation.”
“I knew it that there will be a long queue outside grocery store. I have ordered multiple things online. But there are many things which I wanted to buy in personal thus, I stepped outside in the scorching heat. There is so much uncertainty in regard to the lockdown. We don’t know what will be allowed during this phase. Therefore, it is better to stock the products,” said Namita, who visited a grocery shop in Karvenagar area.
Some traders in the city have also urged for relaxation to allow retailers to do their work, such as procuring supplies from the wholesale market and off-loading the supplies at their shop, which requires them to keep the shop open.
On the other side, Pune Railway Station has also seen a rush from past few days. People those outside Pune are travelling back to their hometowns fearing lockdown.
Lakhan, who works as a labour contractor in Pune said, “I don’t want to be caught in a situation just like last year. I feel the situation will turn worse. Thus, I have decided to return hometown.” The passenger rush on outstation trains in Pune has increased since the last weekend.
Meanwhile, Pune city on Monday reported 4,953 new COVID-19 cases taking the total caseload to 3,22,982.