the goan I network
BELAGAVI
The Belagavi district administration has banned the public transport services to and from Goa and Maharashtra from March 21, while also imposing Section 144 for an infinite period till the threat of Covid-19 looms large.
These are part of added measures to check a possible spread of the dreaded Coronavirus in the region, but the administration clarified that vehicles carrying essential commodities to Goa have been excluded from the order.
In his order issued on Friday, Deputy Commissioner of Belagavi and District Magistrate Dr S B Bomanhalli said all government and private bus services, including the cab services, would be banned with immediate effect.
The decision was arrived at after a meeting of senior officials at the district headquarters.
Similarly, buses and taxis from across the border States also will not be allowed entry in the district, Dr Bomanhalli has stated in his order which will be in effect until the further directives from the State government.
The decision is expected to affect thousands of commuters from either side for a couple of days, till the situation returns to normalcy.
The deputy commissioner has also directed the police and RTO authorities to effectively implement the ban orders.
However, vehicles carrying essential commodities like milk, grains and vegetables have been excluded from the order, to ensure that Goa gets its essential supplies without interruption.
Commissioner of Police B S Lokesh Kumar, SP Laxman Nimbargi, RTO Shivanand Magdum and other senior officials were present for the meeting.
No checks at borders, visitors flock
VALPOI: Despite advisories and several restrictions to prevent mass gatherings, the State government is yet to set up special border check posts to scan people arriving from other States.
In Sattari, a large number of inter-State visitors have been arriving in the State via the Chorla Ghat, which has raised serious questions about precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Sources told The Goan that a large number of passengers had arrived from neighouring Karnataka via Chorla Ghat.
“A wedding ceremony was held in a community hall in one village of Sattari taluka on Thursday and six jeep-loads of people arrived from Belgaum area.”
“The State government has started the process of inspecting the airport and train stations, but has not taken serious view of people arriving from the border areas.”
“Likewise, many such vehicles arrive with a large number of people and their whereabouts in the State are not known. If there is no check on people arriving through the border checkposts, Coronavirus could spread through this manner and could pose a serious situation in the State,” a prominent person said.
CM: No decision on sealing borders
PANAJI: The Sawant government dithered taking a final decision on sealing its borders as recommended by health ministry as the State is heavily dependent on supply of essentials, including foodgrains, vegetables and meat on neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra.
“There is no decision yet on sealing the borders. We are in touch with the chief secretaries of both Maharashtra and Karnataka. We need to bring in essential commodities,” Sawant said.
