Panic Buying Leads To Crowded Markets, Congested Streets

CHAOS IN MARKETS

Madness on lockdown eve; protocols go for a six

Panic Buying Leads To Crowded Markets, Congested Streets

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24.05.2021

Traffic on city roads and crowds at shopping hubs on Sunday resembled a festival-eve experience. While panic shopping drove people in huge numbers to grocery stores and markets a day before another week-long complete lockdown kicked in, it also showed that the newly elected government did not learn from the previous government’s mistakes as far as pandemic management is concerned.

Chaos prevailed in crowded market areas such as Kothaval Chavadi, Ambattur, Thiruvanmiyur, Zam Bazaar, and Koyambedu in Chennai where narrow roads and the population density does not allow for Covid appropriate behaviour.

“The efforts of frontline workers all these days are being negated because of policy decisions like this. To blame everything on public indiscipline is also unfair as the authorities gave only one-and-a-half days for people and naturally panic mode creeps in. The decision makers should have thought better,” said S Srinivasan, a resident of Velachery.

Police personnel and mobile teams of Greater Chennai Corporation made efforts to regulate the crowds at various places, but in vain. Meat and fish stalls, neighbourhood grocery stores, supermarkets and bakeries were all crowded since morning and by early evening, most stores had run out of stocks as people bought in bulk.

It also highlighted the digital divide among the population. “I have never ordered provisions online. So, when the government announces a complete lockdown, is it not natural to stock up on essentials?” said K Santhammal, a resident of Madipakkam.

At shopping hubs and other places, physical distancing went for a toss despite warnings that hefty monetary fines would be slapped on violators. Traditionally crowded places like Ranganathan Street in T Nagar, NSC Bose Road in Parry’s and some of the vegetable markets were packed more than usual.

Traders said that most of those flocking to their outlets were not regular shoppers but owners of retail outlets to buy stocks. “We cannot possibly turn away our customers. We try our level best to ensure physical distancing in and around the premises of our shop, but since the roads are narrow, they get crowded,” said a wholesaler at Kothaval Chavadi.

The trader pointed out that though the complete lockdown will be in place for a week, eateries and restaurants will be functioning and retailers need their supply.

Many residents continued to blame the government. “The whole thing could have been avoided. The government could have either announced the total lockdown a week ago or continued with limited restrictions and announced a complete lockdown from the beginning of June,” said M Damodaran, a resident of Royapettah.