After 55 days, Ludhiana shops open to lukewarm response

With Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh easing the curfew to give way to a lockdown, shops in Ludhiana finally opened after a gap of 55 days. The shopkeepers, visibly relieved after getting back to business, welcomed the customers with smiles.

Though most say that the footfall was less, they are hoping that the situation will improve in the coming days.

Ghumar mandi market association president Pawan Batra said, “We saw only 10% of the normal footfall but hope that it increases in the next few days. As a precautionary measure, we have deputed staff with thermal scanners at the entry points of shops and are also providing masks to residents who come to the market with a handkerchief covering their mouth. Also social distancing is being strictly observed in all shops and these are functioning with 33 to 40 per cent staff,” said Batra.

Gurcharan Singh, a garment store owner in Chaura Bazar, said that around 85% of the shops in the market opened on the first day of the fourth phase of the lockdown.”We received a lukewarm response from residents today but that was expected. However, there was a considerable rush in the markets and we are confident that the business will pick up steam in the coming days,” he said.

Some shopkeepers demanded that the administration should allow them to open shops till 8pm as fewer people step out in the day these days due to the soaring temperature.

Model Town market association (regd) president Amarjit Singh said, “ If shopkeepers are allowed to run their businesses till 8pm, they would be able to cater to more customers.Today, the shopkeepers were asked to shut their shops by 6pm.”

Dilpreet Singh, a resident of Wait Ganj area, said residents had been eager to throng the markets as they were stuck inside their homes for 55 days. “I stepped out to purchase grocery items but took care to avoid the busy streets. Everyone must take care to practise social distancing else the relaxation could turn fatal for us.”

Meanwhile, traffic jams were witnessed in old city areas including Saban Bazar, Dal Bazar and Jagraon bridge. Police were making rounds of market areas, urging the people to maintain social distancing.

Industry relieved as supply chain restored

The industry has heaved a sigh of relief as with the opening of shops, supply chain has been restored.

Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) president Upkar Singh Ahuja said that it will help the cycle industry, but the auto sector is still going through a slump. “Textile and hosiery industry is also facing a crisis as these units have to commence production for winters but they are apprehensive of low demand, he added.

United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) president DS Chawla said opening of shops is a good sign as hardware, fasteners and other material required by the industry would be available now. People should also stick to the Covid-19 guidelines to contain the infection, he added