CHENNAI: The city crept back to its old ways on the first day of partial lockdown as shops, markets and offices opened up.
Anna Salai, GST road and other arterial roads which wore a deserted look for two weeks had bumper to bumper traffic on Monday.
At places such as Kasimedu fishing harbour and vegetable markets, Covid appropriate behaviour was, as usual, not followed.
There were hardly any cops to control crowds at Kasimedu.
At Koyambedu, at least 10,000 people commuted by 3,600 vehicles that were meant for ferrying vegetables and fruits for retail shops from the wholesale market, a Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority official said.
Chennai city police conducted vehicle checks at strategic locations in the city.
The city cops have booked cases against 4,098 people in the 24 hours which ended at 6 am on Monday and they seized 2,154 vehicles including 2,074 bikes for violating the pandemic lockdown norms.
Traders, shopkeepers however welcomed the relaxations.
“Our business runs on credit.
The situation has been bleak for more than a year and a half now and with two weeks of total lockdown, things became very difficult,” said M Kannabiran, who runs a provision store in Keelkattalai.