The Ahmedabad Police has issued a notification that bans all vehicles from plying on the city’s roads until April 14 to better combat the threat of Coronavirus COVID-19. Barring those vehicles that are permitted - such as emergency vehicles, police vehicles and others that meet the exemption rules such as essential goods delivery - any other two-wheeler or four-wheeler found on Ahmedabad’s roads will incur a fine.
While the nature of the fine has yet to be confirmed, the police did insist there would be legal action taken if the ban is breached.
Reports indicate that the number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat has crossed the 120 mark. However, states such as Maharashtra have a much higher number of reported cases, with numbers approaching 500 as on April 4, 2020. The total number of confirmed coronavirus patients in India had crossed the 3,000 mark on Saturday.
Ahmedabad is the second area in India that has instituted a vehicular ban after the Karnataka Police had announced their ban.
The COVID-19 lockdown has affected all industries, with a generally gloomy outlook for the near future. The automobile industry has taken quite a hit, with nearly every carmaker and bike maker reporting a big drop in sales. However, the automobile industry has mobilsed resources to help out with the situation, with MG Motor, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and a number of others making equipment and donations to aid health workers.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Anurag Chaturvedi
