Millions across the world have come out of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown and returned to work. Public transport with confined spaces and limited ventilation has come alive in the national capital again — and with it the fear of disease outbreak
At ISBT Kashmere gate. The Delhi Chief Minister had in May 2020 allowed DTC and cluster buses to run with not more than 20 passengers. “Passengers will be screened before he or she boards the bus. The transport department will ensure that social distancing norms are followed at all the bus-stops as well as inside the bus,” he had said. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
Nearly all economic activities, particularly engaging the informal sector workforce, have resumed. While the Delhi government has repeatedly stressed on the need to strictly follow social distancing norms, the real picture is starkly different. This is at ISBT Kashmere gate. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
Many have not been wearing their mask properly, or have abandoned it altogether. The daily wage workers engaged in the informal sector have little choice but to use crowded public transport to get to work and a life of normalcy. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
At Badarpur border. The city has around 6,500 public transport buses, including 3,900 run by the DTC and over 2,500 cluster buses operated by the Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System. Not only is the public transport heavily burdened, lack of safe sanitation practices constantly pose an increased risk of infection outbreak. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
In Lakshmi Nagar. While the Delhi Police are penalising those not wearing masks or adhering to social distancing norms, the implementation is feeble on the ground. Photo: Vikas Choudhary
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