NEW DELHI: Nehru Place market, which is among Asia’s biggest marketplaces for computer, information technology and electronic goods, is open once again after the lockdown, but a visit there suggested that it could become a Covid-19 super spreader if urgent measures weren’t taken.
Violation of Covid-appropriate behaviour is rampant there, not helped by the return of a crowd of apparently unauthorised street vendors and the ongoing redevelopment work that has left the lanes dug up and inconvenient for customers.
Kailash Bhushan had come to the market from Chhatarpur to get his computer repaired, helpless at having to expose himself to the perilous atmosphere because electronic devices had become a necessity both for his work and for his school-going children.
“There is no one here to maintain order.
Is this how we will prevent the third wave?” he asked.
From packed parking lots, crowded corridors and street hawkers attempting to sell everything from mobile screen guards to software and cheap clothing, the market is now a veritable obstacle course.
Vikki Thakur, a worker in an IT shop, said that the redevelopment work has been going on at snail’s pace for a year.
“It was halted during the lockdown, but the entire market is again filled with labourers and construction material,” he said.
TOI was witness to innumerable violations related to mask wearing and social distancing even as the sewer covers appeared to be favoured spitting spots, potentially releasing a cloud of the dangerous coronavirus into the air.
Many eateries were serving their customers in the corridors, defeating the purpose of restricting customers at such places.
Traders were aware of the Covid indiscipline and seemed to think that increasing the deployment of Civic Defence personnel could help check violations, as would regulating vending activities.
J K Gupta, chairman, Nehru Place Welfare Association, said the basic problem of crowding was due to the unchecked presence of street vendors and operation of the flea market.
“Even in normal circumstances, vendors are allowed to operate within the 6×4 ft space allocated to them.
But unauthorised vendors have made inroads.
They are also the ones who don’t follow Covid norms,” Gupta alleged.
Nehru Place is the main commercial hub for computers and accessories in south Delhi.
It was developed by Delhi Development Authority in the early 1970s.
A popular flea market also runs in the centre of the market plaza.
During the evening hours, the market sees heavy footfall and the parking lots are often hard put to find space for every vehicle coming there.
Akash Kumar, a parking attendant at the lot near Epicuria, the food court, said that compared to last year’s resumption of business after the Covid lockdown, this year’s unlocking has seen a much higher footfall at the market.
The IT crowd: Nehru Place sets 3rd wave alarm bells ringing
