Vijayawada: Petty traders in Red Zones lose livelihood

• No trading activity for more than 70 days in the containment zones at Krishna Lanka, Ajit Singh Nagar, Luna Centre, Karmika Nagar and other areas

• The traders have set up grocery shops, fancy stores, tailoring shops and tea stalls at their homes to eke out their livelihood

• Following lockdown, they are not able to open their shops

• More than 200 Covid-19 cases reported in the containment areas during the last two months

Vijayawada: Thousands of people particularly the petty traders living in the containment zones of Krishna lanka, Ajit Singh Nagar, Luna Centre, Karmika Nagar and other areas are facing miserable life due to Covid lockdown as trading and service activity came to a halt for more than 70 days.

Due to lockdown restrictions, the traders are losing their livelihood. The hapless petty traders, pushcart vendors and daily wage earners are clueless how long their hardships will continue. More than 70 days have passed since the nationwide lockdown came into force and there is no end to their plight. More than 200 coronavirus positive cases have been reported in these areas in two months. Krishna Lanka, Ranigarithota, Karmika Nagar and other areas have become hotbed for corona cases.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the district administration is strictly implementing the lockdown. Many families in these colonies run petty grocery shops, fancy stores, tailoring shops and tea stall etc at their homes to eke out their livelihood.

Due to the lockdown, the VMC has erected barricades at dozens of places in these colonies preventing the movement of citizens from one area to other area. Moreover, most of these areas have small and narrow lanes which are vulnerable for the spread of Covid infection. The main roads are blocked by the police and scores of police are guarding the containment zones.

Restrictions are eased at some places if cases are not reported for 14 days. Unfortunately, new cases are surfacing frequently forcing the authorities to implement the lockdown again.

In Ajit Singh Nagar area, several times earlier the restrictions were eased. Again lockdown rules are being implemented and shops are allowed to open from 6 am to 9 am only due to death of one person. Traders, who live in Krishna Lanka and have shops in non-containment areas are able to run the business.

But, the police are preventing the movement of people due to Red Zone areas. Moreover, it is not easy to cross the barricades and move from one area to other.