Chennai: Social distancing non-existent at corporation shelters as migrants queue up for food

TNN | Mar 26, 2020, 07.18 AM IST

CHENNAI: More than a hundred migrant workers housed at the community hall in Singanna Street, Chintadripet, had to queue up, near the entrance, for food on Wednesday. With nobody enforcing social distancing restrictions, the workers were all standing back to back with a steel plate in their hands waiting for their chance to get food from a big basket.

The food was being provided by a local NGO, and when asked why they couldn't provide them food in packets instead of making them stand in a queue, "We didn't have time to pack the food. But we usually give lunches in packets and breakfast and dinners in plates," said Nirmal Marlecha, one of the volunteers, who with his friends has been feeding the migrants for the last three days.

Thousands of these workers were moved to eight different community halls across the city from the Central station. However, since they moved, complaints have been rife about basic facilities like toilets, sanitation and most importantly lack of safety aid.

At the shelter, more than 100 workers have to cram to sleep and get food.

"The concept of distance doesn't exist," said a supervisor of one of the shelters. He added that the people were supposed to get food from Amma canteen, but several NGOs and volunteers have been coming in to provide food instead. "They have permission from the authorities. But there should be a protocol to follow while distributing food, it is not being followed," he said.

On Wednesday, G Prakash, the commissioner of the corporation, banned NGOs, volunteers and distribution agencies from supplying food to anyone in the city. He pointed out that these are sources of spreading the virus and those who continue to engage in these activities will be dealt with stricter as per the provisions of law.

A corporation official said said, "The food will be sourced either from the Amma Canteens or we shall appoint a separate cook for the shelter," the official said.