Kejriwal Govt Seeks Centre's Permission To Reopen Metro, Buses, Malls In Delhi After May 17

Delhi government has sent suggestions to the centre for greater relaxation of activities in Delhi after May 17. The state government wants markets, shopping complexes, malls, and public transport to start.

The Delhi government said that this was suggested due to public demand. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The Delhi government has sent a proposal with suggestions to the centre for greater relaxation of activities in Delhi after May 17. India is currently in the third phase of a lockdown or Lockdown 3.0 which is set to lift on May 17. According to a report by the news agency IANS the Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority to discuss the suggestions received on the lifting of coronavirus lockdown after May 17. In the proposal the Delhi government wants markets, shopping complexes, and malls to open on an odd-even basis. The Kejriwal government also wants that industries in the state resume and that arrangement for employing labourers living in nearby areas in Delhi are made. Although these activities are not meant for containment zones where the state government wants a complete ban on all activities. "The Delhi government has sent a number of suggestions to the Central government. It has demanded that while all activities in the containment zones in the city should be barred, at other places, the movement of people should be allowed with proper protection," an official of the state government was quoted in the IANS report. In the proposal, the state had also suggested the resumption of public transport with social distancing after May 17. The Delhi government said that this was suggested due to public demand. It was suggested to start public transport with new rules which include auto-rickshaws with only one passenger and taxis with two passengers. Vehicles will also be disinfected after each ride. For buses and metros, the government has said these should ply with half of its capacity to ensure social distancing. "We have suggested the Centre allow the buses, metro, autos, taxis in the city with a strict implementation of the social-distancing norms. With all the relaxations, facial mask and social distancing will be a must," the official said in the report. Educational institutes and cinema halls will remain shut. At present Delhi stands in the fourth place of the list of states with the highest number of coronavirus cases. The total confirmed cases have reached 8470. The final decision on the proposal will be taken by the Central government.