Select shops to deliver groceries at doorstep

TNN | Mar 27, 2020, 04.56 AM IST

Madurai: The best thing that the district administrations can do to prevent people from crowding in shops is to ensure door delivery of goods, and they are taking steps to ensure the same.

A shopkeeper at Anna Nagar in Madurai said that they were finding it difficult to supply goods owing to the panic buying, as people used to buy essential commodities in large quantities. Now, the corporation has enlisted shops, which could deliver goods, and also roped in volunteers to deliver goods.

Sugumar of K K Nagar said that he thought of doing something useful for the society in the crisis and approached shops to deliver goods. It is only if they have an ID and a local address. This was made mandatory because only people having ID’s given by the corporation authorities could deliver goods. Kumar, a shopkeeper, says that they may approach more volunteers if the situation demands.

A few customers are asking for bulk orders for apartments, and in that case auto rickshaws are being roped in for home delivery. The customer would have to pay the auto charge in addition to the price of the goods. All these operations are expected to begin on Friday, according to corporation sources. But, all delivery personnel will have to wear masks and gloves. Vehicles used for delivery would have to be disinfected.

Dindigul district collector M Vijayalakshmi has said that four markets would be set up at Palani Road Lorry Terminal, Mettupati ground, Nagal Nagar Bharathipuram Market and SMPM School near the Round Road for the convenience of people. These markets would start functioning from March 27. People from villages can also make use of these markets.

The district administration has also put out a list of whatsapp numbers, which will help public get their grocery delivered at their doorsteps to ensure that they did not crowd in the shops. Shops have been identified to be common for many wards of the Dindigul Corporation. For example the Kannan Departmental Store with the whatsapp number 8489943093, could be useful to the people living in ward numbers 1 to 5, 36 to 40, villages under Settiyanayakkampatti panchayat and N S Nagar.

Such arrangements have been made for all the 48 wards in the Dindigul Corporation. She has said that all the vehicles to be used for home delivery would be disinfected and the delivery personnel equipped with protective gear.

Tuticorin and Tirunelveli district administrations have also made similar arrangements. In Tirunelveli, people can order from Pothy’s Super Market, Big Bazaar and Reliance Shop, between 9am and 4pm. Rs 25 would be added as delivery charge to each delivery, Tirunelveli corporation has said.