AHMEDABAD: After coming to a standstill and slowing down yet again due to the curbs of the pandemic’s second wave, the bustle of Ahmedabad retuned again on Monday.
The peak hour traffic rush was a clear indicator of business as usual resuming in the city, as offices resumed operations at 100% staff, courts resumed in-person hearing, public transport services resumed at 50% capacity, while shops and commercial establishment continued operating from 9am to 6pm.
“Starting with the public transport came as a big relief to staffers who used to travel longer distances to reach the workplace.
We hope whenever next the government imposes restrictions or regulations, things are uniform,” said Varis Isani, a tax professional.
As the lower courts resumed physical hearing, more litigants visited the court campuses, especially the metropolitan court at Gheekanta, on the first day.
As the courtrooms were opened after two months, the criminal courts at Gheekanta witnessed a little rush because people came to inquire about the status of their cases with their lawyers.
The courtrooms, however, did not allow the litigants unless it was absolutely necessary.
Only one gate of court campuses was kept open and security guards were deployed with temperature guns at the gates.
The guards at city civil court at Bhadra did not allow litigants inside the campus without a nod from their advocates.
However, there was no rush of visitors witnessed in Bhadra court campus.
Even traders breathed easy as offices could operate at 100% staff.
“This will come as a big relief in not just attaining normalcy in business operations but will also go a long way to better demand in the days to come as consumer sentiment improves,” said Jayendra Tanna, president, Gujarat Traders’ Federation (GTF).
Traders however opined that the frequency of both AMTS and BRTS buses must be increased during peak hours especially to help cater to the rush.