Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday, assured the bus and car operators that the government is aware of their concerns and is looking at resuming public transport with precautionary measures of social distancing, sanitising and another safety measuring.
Through videoconferencing, addressing the members of Bus and Car operator’s confederation of India, Gadkari said, “Opening transport and highways will instil confidence among the public. They will be told to maintain social distancing and adopt all safety measures.”
Adding to this, Gadkari also revealed that a standard operating procedure will be drafted for operating public transport which will include social distancing norms and preventive measures like hand wash, sanitising, face masks, etc.
Suggesting measures to better the situation of the public transport sector, confederation member and Indian Motor Transport Congress President Kultaran Singh Atwal said, “The transport sector was facing a severe downturn due to persistent lockdown, and a majority of small operators are unable to sustain the financial pressure. The government must extend a helping hand to more than 200 million people dependent on this sector...”
The government declared a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus on March 25 and public transport around the country has been suspended since then. Until now, the Centre has only made an exception for the movement of the stranded people and migrant workers.
Currently, the country has banned any form of inter or intrastate transport, along with air and rail transport within and outside the country till May 17. There are restrictions on the movement of people in the red zone, and some provisions have been made for areas falling under the orange and green zone.
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Though resuming public transport may come as good news for some. It is also a matter for serious concern about the spread of coronavirus.
Looking at the recent mayhem caused by the opening of the liquor stores, it is difficult to be sure that people will follow the norms of social distancing.
Despite stringent rules laid down by the government on social distancing and sanitation, people all over the country crowded liquor stores and violated the norms.
Similarly, right now, people stranded in various States are desperate to return home. Some living in urban areas are willing to return to their villages, hoping to escape the horror caused by a coronavirus. All-in-all, increasing the chances of another chaotic situation.
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On the flip side, there are also a few benefits to the opening of public transport.
Currently, the urban authorities are under a lot of pressure to test a maximum number of people. Movement of people to rural areas will considerably reduce this pressure of testing.
Also, as mentioned by Gadkari in his meeting, the ministry is looking to adopt the ‘London model’ of public transport. The model suggests minimum involvement of the public sector and promotes private investment which could benefit the country.
“The pandemic has presented India an opportunity to seek global investments from firms looking to exit the Chinese market,” said Gadkari.
