(Left) It was business as usual at the entrance to the Hongkong Market on April 24 from the Bata Chariali Junction. Here, neither ‘odd-even system’ nor ‘50% of foot path vendors’ were being followed. (Right) The situation underneath the overbridge on April 24. It is another entry point to the Hongkong Market. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 24
All shops located in Dimapur’s New Market and Hong Kong Market will open on alternate days following odd-even system, stated an order issued by Deputy Commissioner on April 21.
The directive was among slew new standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued after a meeting of the Dimapur District Task Force in view of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Nagaland as well as India.
As per the order, only 50% of foot path vendors in these locations will also be allowed on any given day, adding that necessary arrangements for the same shall be made accordingly by Administrator.
The objective was to curb overcrowding at busy market area with limited scope for social distancing.
(Left) Shops are seen opened on one side and closed on other side at the narrow lane of Hazi Park, Hongkong Market on April 24. (Right) At the main Hongkong Market Complex, shops are seen opened on one side and closed on other side. (Morung Photo)
A day after the order came into effect, visits by The Morung Express the two markets on April 24 to observe its implementation showed some interesting results.
The first entry point was from the Dimapur Railway Station to Hong Kong Market/Hazi Park, where business was as usual.
The narrow alley to the market was chock-a-block with roadside vendors on one side and the regular shops on the other end, though the customers were considerably lower than other days.
Likewise, the entry from railway gate/overbridge was also similar, though technically it might be out of designated market area. It continued till both side of the overbridge, ending at the Bata Chariali Junction.
However, things were more orderly inside the main Hong Kong Market area as well as the Hazi Park.
Here applying the odd-even system, one side of the shopping lane was closed while the other side was open.
Asked why it was so, a shopkeeper rationalised that keeping one side closed would ensure that there are less crowding, unlike closure of alternate shops on both sides.
On the main market path, however, both sides were open.
Meanwhile, similar lane-wise odd-even system were observed in the New Market. Here too, crowds were less but there seems to be no restriction for foot path vendors. However, a policeman was seen implementing the mask protocol in the market among the foot path vendors.
On both markets, one odd sight observed was the shops located on the corner of a lane with shutters on both sides.
Here, the shutter on one side was closed, while the shutter on the other side was open. Technically, whether it is under the protocol or not, is a moot point.
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